Progress continues to be made towards the goal of completing the Centennial Trail.
The City of Helena submitted the Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) project application to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) in September 2010. CTEP funds are federal surface transportation funds set aside for transportation enhancement projects which include projects like bicycle and pedestrian facilities. CTEP pays for up to 86.42% of the project leaving a local match requirement of 13.42%. This local match amount is what the Friends of Centennial Trail are helping to raise.
· The Friends have raised $8,000 to date. These donations have come from individuals, businesses, the Helena Bicycle Club, and through a bike raffle in which Great Divide Cyclery and Big Sky Cyclery each donated a bike.
Construction Details
Below is the Phase One Construction Schedule as recommended by the Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Committee (NMTAC).
Recommended Order | Section of Trail | Description |
1 | Henderson Crossing | 8-foot wide bridge and 100-foot approach east and west to join existing gravel trail for safety and convenience |
2 | Centennial Park to National Avenue | Paved trail along Burlington-Northern Railroad right-of-way, including reflector posts, lighting, connects existing Main St. underpass with National, required due to BN donation, for safety and convenience and to ease maintenance |
3 | I-15 to Billings/Blaine | Paved and lighted pathway with benches, providing access to retail and connected to MDT; provides facilities where there are none; for safety and convenience and to ease maintenace |
4 | North Montana to I-15 | Full project includes bringing up both sidewalks to ADA requirements and repair 1,300 feet paved SUP, includes lighting; for safety and convenience and to ease maintenance. Alternative: Bike lane only striping and signage. |
5 | Joslyn to Henderson | Paved with lighting, SUP along existing BN easement for safety and convenience and to ease maintenance |
6 | Henderson to Benton | Paved with lighting, SUP along existing BN easement for safety and convenience and to ease maintenance |