Buy-A-Brick

Buy a brick, and help build the Centennial Trail. You can specify a message to be displayed on the brick you purchase, and your paver will rest with others' at the cycler's kiosk in Helena's Centennial Park.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Brick-Selling Campaign and Ales for Trails Event

The Friends’ next fund-raising event will be a paver-selling campaign. Starting in mid-2011, the Friends will be asking for a minimum donation of $100 to buy a paver. The donor could choose to have their name or the name of a loved one inscribed on the paver. The bricks will be used to pave an area along Centennial Trail that is in Centennial Park. The area will be a resting spot with a drinking fountain, benches and informational signs.

Plans are also coming together for an “Ales for Trails” event on May 20, 2011, with local beer and music at the Fairgrounds!

Phase One Construction Schedule

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