Bikers, joggers and walkers could soon have a new trail, complete with mountain views, streams and the multi-leveled freeway interchange known as the "Spaghetti Bowl."
By the end of this summer, a master plan is expected to be completed for a new trail that would connect the Bonneville Shoreline Trail to the Jordan River Parkway. The plan will show a preferred alignment for the east-west trail, potential difficulties in completing the trail and alternative trail routes.
The Parleys Rail, Trails, and Tunnels (PRATT) would most likely branch off from the Bonneville trail at "Suicide Rock" at the mouth of Parleys Canyon, said Chuck Klingenstein, a professional planner for the consulting firm Psomas. From there, the trail would have to work across multiple major streets, the Salt Lake Country Club and the I-15/I-80 interchange at 2100 South.
"We're going through an already built-out, urban area," Klingenstein said during a recent presentation to the County Council. "It is one of the few remaining areas like this in the area."
When built, the trail will be a cooperative effort between Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County and South Salt Lake, at the very least. Because of the various problems that may need to be addressed — such as building pedestrian overpasses or getting access to private property — the cost and a time line for completing the project have not been determined.
Lisa Romney, Salt Lake City's environmental affairs coordinator, said that ideally, the trail would connect to the multiple parks that are between the two trails. Additionally, they would prefer to see the trail stay away from busy roads as much as possible to improve safety.
"What seems to make sense already connects to most of the parks on the way," she said. "We would like a functional, safe trail that works as both a recreation and commuter trail."
County Councilman Russell Skousen said a trail that was more sheltered from traffic and incorporated the parks seems preferable, if only to get more families onto the trail.
"A protected-type trail is ideal, so it's not exposed to traffic," he said. "We want to encourage folks to use this and feel safe."
The trail would probably follow Parleys Creek into Sugarhouse Park, with the only difficulty for planners being the country club. After that, however, the trail would encounter more problems, especially as it crossed 1300 East, 700 East and State Street. Finally, the trail would probably have to go under the Spaghetti Bowl and through the railroad yard to the Jordan River, said Bob Searn, greenway trails specialist for Gould-Evans Architects.
The master plan will include possible ways to improve the safety or reduce the costs, even if it means pushing the trail farther south as it gets closer to the Jordan River. They may also try to utilize the transportation corridor along I-80, if possible.
"Part of the planning process will be where we can get the biggest bang for our buck," Searn said.
County Councilman Cortlund Ashton said that he would prefer to see the trail stay away from the interstate, if possible, to improve the enjoyment of the trail.
"I just wonder if people want to ride next to the freeway," Ashton said. "It would be better to meander it away from the freeway as much as possible."
E-MAIL: jloftin@desnews.com