Billings, Montana Bicycle and Pedestrian Trails Continue to Expand

Billings, Montana can claim some decent multi-use trails. These trails, popular with cyclists and walkers, young and old, physically fit and not-so-fit, have largely been a fragmented, disconnected system though. Using a trail, for most people, has meant driving to a parking lot at a trailhead and then parking their vehicle to get some exercise. This situation is beginning to change.

The trails are gradually becoming interconnected, allowing walkers and cyclists to move from multi-use trail to multi-use trail without needing to compete with motor vehicle traffic to cross busy intersections. The most recent connection to be opened passes under seven traffic lanes on Main Street in Billings Heights. This connection, opened on November 10, 2010, allows trail users to easily and safely move from the trail system along the Yellowstone River (east of Main Street) to the newly developed Aronson Trail, Alkali Creek Trail and, thanks to a new connection opened last year, to trails through Swords Park.

The new trail connection beneath Main Street features a wide, concrete surface like many other multi-use trails in Billings. The tunnel beneath Main Street is a large, culvert-style tunnel. The tunnel is similar to several other connection tunnels installed in the past year along Aronson and above Swords Park near the airport traffic circle. The tunnel floor is surfaced with concrete, features ceiling lights for night visibility, and is wide enough for pedestrians and cyclists to pass comfortably. The tunnel is 200 feet in length and 14 feet in width with a 10-foot wide concrete floor.

Funding for the connection project came from a variety of sources, including federal stimulus funds, federal and state transporation funds, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and several local groups. Senator Jon Tester is seeking $750,000 in federal funding to complete a downtown connector that would connect the Billings Heights trail with the downtown Billings area.

SOURCES

Newest part of bike path to officially open. Billings Gazette. Site accessed on 15 November 2010.

Clair Johnson. Cyclists, walkers cruise through new Main Street tunnel. Billings Gazette. Site accessed on 15 November 2010.

U.S. Senator Jon Tester | Appropriations. Jon Tester. Site accessed on 15 November 2010.