Troy mayor believes new path would solve safety issue

When finished, a greenbelt path proposed for Troy will hook up with existing trails and create a network surely welcomed by recreationists, dog walkers, joggers and bicyclists.

But the new trail would serve a twofold purpose. Besides enhancing the community’s options for outdoor activities, Troy mayor Jim Hammons said the path would solve a serious safety issue.

“Right now, we have only one crossing on the BNSF line that has gates,” Hammons said. “Kids cross on the railroad anywhere. They’ve been seen climbing around on cars. … It’s a setup for potential disaster. That’s why we’re trying to get BNSF on board to try to do this.”

Hammons said people have been killed at the railroad crossing, including an adult years ago. Children who need to get from one side to the other often won’t take the time to walk down to Third Street and cross where it’s convenient. A component of the project calls for a fence to go up along the railroad tracks.

The bike-walking path project would start at Troy Museum down St. Regis Haul Road, down Yaak Avenue to the Third Street crossing, and down Mill Road to Roosevelt Park. The greenbelt would tie in with paths at the park and airport.

Plans for the project have been on Hammons’ mind for two years now. Time could be running short with a narrowing window of opportunity to take advantage of funds through the Community Transportation Enhancement Program, or CTEP.

“It would be nice to be breaking ground by next fall – if all the appropriations come in and it all looks good with the railroad’s consent,” Hammons said.

One of the biggest challenges with the project has been working on right-of-way issues involving Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. The bike-walking path would go on railroad property on a stretch between the tracks and Mill Road toward Roosevelt Park.

Talks with the railroad also include the relocation of the city’s dumpster site. Currently, the dumpsters are located on city property on St. Regis Haul Road but the path’s construction would force them to move. Hammons said a good spot would be in what is basically a vacant lot south of the Third Street crossing on railroad property.

Still another issue is resolving a storm drainage problem near the fire hall that would flood the walking path every time it rains. That part of the project may not be covered by CTEP money but through an appropriation that the city applied for from Congressman Denny Rehberg’s office.

“There are some restrictions on what they can and can’t do with that,” Hammons said, referring to CTEP funds.

In addition to the storm drain, the Rehberg appropriation – the city applied for $259,000 – would also pay for improvements to Third Street, including sidewalks, lights and curbs.

Lincoln County receives approximately $88,000 per year through CTEP. The county plans one project every three years rotating between Eureka, Libby and Troy. The county’s Bill Bischoff said guidelines are in place to spend about $220,000 per project.

The city receives limited CTEP money and that has been used for Troy’s water project, Hammons said.

Besides those funding sources, the county and city will also contribute through in-kind services to bring down the cost. During a public meeting in February, the cost of the bike-walking path alone was estimated at $189,000.