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Bike trail connection projects to link cities

The projects cost $4.9M and connect 285 miles of trails.

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By Steve Bennish, Staff Writer Updated 8:24 PM Thursday, May 19, 2011

DAYTON — Two major bike trail connection projects underway this year will link downtown Dayton to Troy in the north and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Fairborn to the east by 2012.

Both projects are big deals for biking enthusiasts because they connect such large stretches of paved, off-the-road trail with cities and suburbs, and will open up daily commuting opportunities.

The Great Miami River Trail connection will give riders a stretch from Middletown through Dayton and Tipp City to Troy when the river isn’t in flood stage. It should be completed in July, although that’s not a firm date because of excessive rain, and will cost about $2.5 million.

Construction work on the Mad River Trail to Wright-Patt is scheduled to begin in August and be completed by spring 2012, said Joe Zimmerman, Five Rivers construction manager. It’s priced at $2.4 million.

The bikeway would stop across the road from Gate 1B at the base. The parks agency is still working out details with Norfolk Southern on passage through an abandoned railroad tunnel.

Dan Sahli, Five Rivers’ newly-hired outdoor coordinator specializing in biking, said the connections will link 285 miles of regional trails in the Miami Valley. “It adds a huge chunk for people who want to bike a long way,” he said. “Those are the main connections.”

Today’s Events

Today from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. is “Bike to Work Day” at the downtown RiverScape MetroPark Bike Hub at Monument Avenue and Patterson Road. A free pancake breakfast will be served.
A Cycling Summit will be from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center, 1000 N. Keowee St.
Free entertainment will follow from 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Brixx Ice. Co., 500 East First St.

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