Shelton shows 30% design for Cross-Town Trail; staff cites $2.2M estimate for phase one

At a study session staff presented a 30% design for Phase 1 of the Cross-Town Trail, a basic alignment that would use an existing rail corridor for a route of "a little under a mile," staff said. "It's our 30% design," a presenter told the council, and the goal is to collect council feedback before progressing to 60% design.

Staff described several alignment issues and tradeoffs: crossings near 10th/11th streets, an angle-versus-squared crossing near Kota Street, and a small triangle parcel where a private owner has built a structure that affects the city's easement. Staff warned that some options could remove on-street parking used by nearby businesses and said they will present alternate designs and buffering measures at later design milestones.

The existing railroad bridge at the Nealand/park crossing was described as a historic structure owned by the water utility with a water line attached. Staff said decking and rails will be shown at 60% design to address safety and accessibility; the bridge is currently closed because it is unsafe for general use.

On cost and next steps, staff gave a current order-of-magnitude estimate for construction: "the current cost estimates about 2.2 million to build this," the presenter said. Staff said they plan to seek Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grants and transportation grant matches and aim for a shovel-ready design by December, with concurrent work on phase-two design and potential federal or state funding sources.

Council members raised concerns about private-property impacts and the need to balance off-road routing, parking impacts and neighborhood buffering; staff said public input will be solicited at upcoming open houses and during the 60% design review.