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Transportation Commission backs letter supporting $400,000 ADOT grant for 5.5-mile Flagstaff forest trail
Summary
The Transportation Commission voted to let the commission chair sign a letter of support for a Flagstaff Ranger District grant application to design a 5.5-mile multiuse trail linking Elden Lookout Road, Buffalo Park and Doheny Park; the Forest Service and Flagstaff Biking Organization will provide matching support for design work.
The Transportation Commission on April 2 voted to allow its chair to sign a letter supporting a grant application from the Flagstaff Ranger District that would fund 60% design for about 5.5 miles of improved trail connecting Elden Lookout Road, Buffalo Park and Doheny Park.
District Ranger Matt McGrath described the proposal and the grant request to the commission. “This grant would be for $400,000 which would pay for 60% design,” McGrath said. He said the Flagstaff Biking Organization is providing a match for design and the work would build on recent trail reconstruction north of Buffalo Park that uses an aggregate trail surface suited for all seasons.
McGrath said the project aims to create a quasi-“foots” (all-season) trail wide enough for commuter and recreational use to provide a viable east–west connection in areas where current singletrack trails are not suitable for regular commuting. He described the proposed route as a connector to close a spiderweb of informal trails north of Elden Lookout Road and to concentrate east–west traffic on a more durable route.
Commissioners and staff discussed schedule and outreach. McGrath said the ADOT Transportation Alternatives application is due in May and that he had briefed the county supervisor’s office and planned to seek additional letters of support from the mayor and city manager. He said the application would request a letter from the commission before submission.
Commission action: the commission approved a motion allowing the chair to sign a letter of support for the Forest Service grant application. A motion was made on the floor and seconded; the roll call recorded three affirmative vocal responses and no opposition. Chair Koenig said staff would prepare the letter for signature and routing.
Funding and next steps: McGrath said the $400,000 request would only fund design; construction funding is not attached. He estimated Flagstaff Biking Organization’s match at roughly $24,000 and said future construction would require additional fundraising and coordination with the city, county and the U.S. Forest Service.
