Bainbridge Island has received $1.7 million grant to plan the Sound to Olympics Trail from Winslow to the Agate Pass Bridge.
The award is part of a $16.13 million federal grant to plan Puget Sound to Pacific, 100 miles of trails from BI to LaPush.
“This is a landmark moment for trails planning on Bainbridge Island,” said Mary Meier, BI Parks & Trails Foundation executive director. “The STO will bring so much to our community – a trail greenway from Winslow to the bridge, a safe alternative to highway travel, a spine for new trails out to island neighborhoods.”
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer added: “This investment in the Puget Sound to Pacific trail will help connect workers to jobs, local residents to essential services, and folks looking for recreation to some of our region’s natural treasures. Having the federal government provide this grant funding means we will see improved trail connectivity and better safety without the cost being borne entirely by taxpayers in our neck of the woods.”
Blair King, BI city manager, said: “This grant will help us design the Sound to Olympics trail segment on Bainbridge Island, a significant piece of transportation infrastructure. This is a meaningful step towards sustainable transportation for islanders and visitors alike.”
The overall grant funds planning for 34 distinct projects regionwide, filling gaps between existing trails, building new community connections and making safety improvements within the 200-mile Puget Sound to Pacific Ocean trail route. The grant does not fund trail construction. New multi-use trails and improvements will be planned by local governments, and construction funding will be sought through future grants or other sources.
Projects on BI include crossing improvements at High School Road, and trail segments from Sakai Park to Madison Avenue; Madison Avenue to Sportsman Club Road; Sportsman to Koura Road; and from Koura Road to the Agate Pass Bridge. Approximately two miles of the route are funded to 100% design and 4.5 miles funded to 30% design.
The PS2P is composed of planned and existing sections of the Olympic Discovery Trail and the Sound to Olympic Trail plus network connectivity to residential areas and transit. PS2P will be the spine of an “active transportation” corridor and greenway that shifts short commutes away from automobiles to human-scaled and people-powered travel modes like walking and bicycling. It aligns with transportation and climate goals and policies at every level of state and local government, a foundation news release says.
An STO route study is already underway by the city of BI, supported by funding from the foundation. The grant application was coordinated by the Puget Sound to Pacific Collaborative, an initiative of the foundation, the North Kitsap Trails Association and the Peninsula Trails Coalition.
