PANORA, Iowa, June 4, 2010 –  There are three major construction projects underway right now that are impacting users of the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

– The Clive Greenbelt Trail is closed where it passes under the bridges on Interstate Highway 35/80 on the west side of the Des Moines metro area, so that reconstruction of those bridges can be completed.  The trail was closed there in mid-April and is scheduled to remain closed through the July 4th weekend.  The first phase of that reconstruction project also forced closure of the trail there last fall for three months.  That point on the Clive Greenbelt Trail, which carries all the metro trail traffic west to the RRVT, is one of the busiest places on any recreation trail in the whole state.

– The RRVT is still closed between Panora and Yale as work nears completion on a new concrete surface there.  That will replace the 21-year-old asphalt that was the last original portion of the RRVT that had not been resurfaced.  At the end of this week, the last mile of new concrete was being completed, and workers were turning their attention to approaches to the roads and shoulders on the trail.  It will be determined early next week whether the five-mile stretch will be done in time to be opened for the June 12-13 “Tour the Raccoon” ride.  If it is not, riders can detour from the trail on Iowa Highway 4.

– Another major project on the RRVT is the construction of portions of the new North Loop.  The new concrete surface has been completed between Dawson and Perry.  The trail there has not yet been opened to the public, as some shoulder work, fencing and other “finish” work remains to be done.   But some people have been walking and riding on the new surface, without authorization.  Another stretch of the North Loop is to be completed soon south from Iowa Highway 141 in Perry to the Forest Park Museum, which is also the headquarters of Dallas County Conservation.  And the City of Perry will soon be building the trail’s signed crossing of Highway 141. 

On that reconstruction of the bridges carrying interstate highway traffic above the trail in Clive, the Iowa Department of Transportation reported last fall  that the trail closing was essential for safety reasons.  Officials said there could be contruction debris falling from the bridges while work is underway.  As trail users move west from the Des Moines area, they will encounter the closing at NW 114th Street in Clive, on the east side of the interstate highway.  As trail users move east from Waukee on the RRVT, they will encounter the closing at NW 128th Street in Clive, on the west side of the interstate.

Clive Parks & Recreation director Kelly Canfield said no specific detour is recommended there.   ”There is not a good route that is reasonable for walkers and bicyclists,” Canfield said.  “To stay off-street and use sidewalks or other trails, you would have to go south to Westown Parkway to cross over the interstate.”