Flagstaff committee gets updates on Huntington sidewalks, Lone Tree overpass and multiple trail projects

City staff briefed the Steve Blackstaff Pedestrian Advisory Committee on a large set of active-transportation projects that together aim to improve sidewalks, bike lanes and trail connections across Flagstaff.

The update covered projects at varying stages: the First Mile Last Mile sidewalks on Huntington (the first construction package is expected to begin by June), a near-complete sidewalk and bike-lane project along a Glenda Vista slip ramp that staff said may be striped imminently, the Lone Tree overpass trail concept and related protected intersections and separated bike lanes along Butler, several neighborhood trail extensions (Sawmill Trail, Sinclair Ridge Trail), and larger regional trail ideas such as a route linking Route 66 to Picture Canyon and a Mount Elden Urban Trail proposal to the Forest Service.

Staff emphasized practical constraints. The Huntington sidewalks — funded through a First Mile Last Mile grant administered by Mountain Line — were designed to avoid acquiring new right-of-way because of environmental-clearance limits; staff said that requires some work to be re-scoped and potentially funded separately to complete corner connections. On the Glenda Vista slip ramp project, staff described final cross-section dimensions as an 11-foot travel lane, a 4.5-foot bike lane and a 5-foot sidewalk, and noted the curb geometry may give the section a visually narrow appearance even though the dimensions meet current standards.

The Lone Tree overpass project remains a major multi-year item. Staff said concept planning and local engineering work are underway, and that money is identified in the budget to advance planning. The overpass trail would connect into Route 66 and offer a potential link to Buffalo Park; staff noted topography and potential bridges or switchbacks could add cost and complexity.

Trail projects ranged from near-term (the Schweitzer Canyon Trail, for which the city has gone out to bid and staff expected to award a contract at the July 1 council meeting) to longer-term ideas that require easements or property agreements. For the Picture Canyon connection, staff said they are working with Coconino County, a composting operation (Restoration Soils) and CEMEX on easements; the county has indicated willing to grant an easement for part of the corridor, staff said.

On accessibility and pedestrian safety at roundabouts, Jeff (a city staff member) told the committee that the Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) generally recommend flashing beacons on multilane approaches or exits: “when you have a multilane approach or exit, that's when the flashing beacons are recommended practice,” he said. Staff noted such details — beacons, raised crosswalks, or push-button crossings — are evaluated as designs mature and that some mini roundabouts require traversable elements for truck turning.

Staff also highlighted grant activity: applications were submitted for a Fort Valley Road project and a Mount Elden Urban Trail through the Forest Service; staff asked the committee for a letter of support for the Fort Valley/transportation-alternative application and said they would forward the draft for signature.

Committee members asked about timeline and maintenance questions for informal trails and “desire paths.” Staff said the city is evaluating easement needs, materials and maintenance responsibilities and acknowledged many of the small connections people use are on informal alignments and would need planning attention as development occurs.

Why it matters: the projects touch transit access, neighborhood connectivity and safety across multiple corridors. Several projects are construction-ready or bid-ready, while others depend on easements, grant awards or more detailed design work.

Staff asked the committee to continue offering input on pedestrian and trail design and to expect future agenda items as designs and funding mature.