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Countywide feasibility study maps preferred US‑89 trail from Gunnison to Fairview
Summary
Consultants presented a draft preferred alignment for a multi‑jurisdictional trail paralleling U.S. 89 and outlined upcoming public open houses and a public comment website as the project seeks federal RAISE grant eligibility.
Consultants leading a multi‑jurisdiction feasibility study presented a preferred alignment for a trail primarily paralleling U.S. 89 from Gunnison to Fairview and said public outreach will begin in April.
McClain Farmer, an engineer with Johnson Mill, told the Gunnison City Council the study is intended to prepare a preliminary design so municipalities and the county can pursue competitive funding such as the federal RAISE grant. “This is mostly focused on paralleling US 89 all the way from Gunnison to Fairview,” Farmer said.
The preferred alignment shown to the council runs from Centerfield through Gunnison on 200 East and the north side of US 89 into Sterling, continuing through Manti, Ephraim, Pigeon Hollow and Spring City before terminating at the Fairview City Sports Park. Farmer said other alignments — including routes on Main Street in Gunnison and parts of the Sunflower Trail — were rejected in this study because of right‑of‑way constraints.
The study team emphasized the route is a “spine” intended to provide regional connectivity, not to replace local sidewalks. Farmer said the design will be paved and is intended to separate bicycle and pedestrian users from highway traffic to improve safety for families and recreational users.
Consultants said they will start a public involvement period that includes an open house in Ephraim on April 10, a meeting in Gunnison on April 23 and a Mount Pleasant open house on April 29. A project website and a map with a location‑specific comment tool will be available; the consultants said they will leave poster maps at the city building for written comments.
The presentation did not include a construction schedule or final cost estimate. Farmer said the full corridor would likely be constructed in phases and that the current work is intended to make future segments eligible for federal and state funding.
City officials asked about routing within town and crossings of the highway; consultants said the preferred route maximizes directness and access to destinations while avoiding sections with prohibitive right‑of‑way constraints. The study team said design work is ongoing and that alternatives could change if new constraints are discovered.
The consultants asked the council to help publicize the April meetings and the online comment tool.
A copy of the study map will be available at the city building and on the project website once the public comment page is linked.
