Bike path discussed as supervisors okay B-35 project

The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors gave their approval to plans for improvements which will close County Road B-35 between Clear Lake and Mason City much of next spring and summer.  However, county officials said they will make an effort to keep the Trolley Trail bike trail open as much as possible during the lengthy project.

The B-35 project includes the purchase of right of way to widen the road from 24 to 28-feet.

According to County Engineer Mary Kelly, $500,000 in special safety funding has been awarded to the project to help fund the creation of turning lanes at three intersections.  The extra lane will appear at Jonquil, Killdeer and Lark Avenues.  According to Kelly, the turn lanes will allow slower traffic to move to the turning lane while faster traffic continues.

Kelly noted the intersections were addressed because several accidents, including fatalities, have occurred at those locations.

While supporting the roadway improvements, bicycle enthusiasts urged County Supervisors to consider the safety of cyclists who use the Trolley Trail between Mason City and Clear Lake during construction.

Steven Schurtz told Supervisors he opposed the bike path being closed for several months, saying that will not only be inconvienent for those who ride bicycles to work in Clear Lake or Mason City, but create a safety issue.  He encouraged staging of the project to keep the path open as much as possible.  Schurtz noted there is no alternative route for riders between the community.  He says State Highway 122 would not be safe, and a gravel road to the south of B-35 would not be navigable by most cyclists.

Kelly says the county will work to not close the trail down for the whole project, but safety will come

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first.  Construction traffic will dictate the ability to keep the trail open.  Staging and use of some temporary granular surfacing until a contractor can pave may be an option, she said.

The estimated cost of the project is about $3.9 million. Bid letting is expected in January with construction to take place next year.

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