The draft analysis of the Sound to Olympics Trail between Kingston and Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park has been completed.

The preferred alternative would be 7.93 miles long and cost between almost $13 million to more than $15.5 million over the next 20-30 years. Kitsap County is hoping for grants to cover most of the cost so it likely would be done in phases. Officials identified nine phases, going from east to west.

The study shows the route will provide a viable regional, shared-use path across the North Kitsap Peninsula in a way that balances the needs and values of the community, accessibility, user experience and critical areas protection, the executive summary says.

The route would connect the park, Grover’s Creek Preserve owned by the Great Peninsula Conservancy and the Divide Block owned by Pope Resources and acquired by Rayonier. The East Zone of the path is from Kingston to the east side of NK Heritage Park; the Central Zone from West Kingston Road to the west side of Miller Bay Road; the West Zone is from Grover’s Creek Preserve to Stottlemeyer Road.

Following are the the preferred alignments for each section.

The West Zone is the longest at 3.28 miles. It goes east along Stottlemeyer Road, under Bond Road via a tunnel, along Stevens Uhler Road, through the Hogg property, up to the northwest part of the Divide Block to the top of the ridge, down the block to Orseth Road and over to Grover’s Creek to Miller Bay Road. It provides an accessible, safe, healthy and direct route for the best user experience while avoiding the most critical areas.

The Central Zone is 1.89 miles long crossing Miller Bay Road and following it to the west of of NK Heritage Park parking lot, then to Beaver Pond to the road to the wastewater treatment plant.

The East Zone is 2.77 miles long. Go north to West Kingston Road and use existing sidewalks and bike lanes to Kingston.

Based on public comments, the plan was adjusted to include a wider range of path alignments. A working group of community members, along with three public meetings, provided the feedback. Over 60 path segments were rated using five criteria: Connecting communities, parks and open spaces; environmental; safety, health and function; user experience; and project delivery. While that process was qualitative, another evaluation took place that was also quantitative. They were refined based on typography and critical areas.

Environmental concerns used in refinement include: wetlands and their buffers; streams and their buffers; restoration potential; tree removal; and mitigation needs. Safety concerns included: roadside vs. open space; low-stress path; and long-term maintenance costs.

A shared-use path means it’s a minimum of 10 feet wide, paved with 2-foot-wide gravel shoulders on each side. It needs to be accessible to all users, including those with mobility devices and vision disabilities.

The study now goes to Kitsap County Public Works for priortization of trail projects in the six-year Transportation Improvement Plan and annual construction program. County commissioners offer public hearings on such action.

The overall path combines the “String of Pearls” Plan of 2011; the county’s Non-Motorized Facilities Plan of 2013 and 2018; and the Divide Block study of 2015.