Cushman Trail will gain new ground

Phase II of the project to connect inner-city trail

Susan Schell

special to the Gateway

Cushman Trail will get more attention this year when Phase II of the extension project gets underway.

“We’re in pretty good shape for Cushman Phase II,” said Terry Lee, Pierce County councilman who represents Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula.

“We’re going out to bid almost any day now to get a contractor,” Lee said. “All systems are go as far as I know, and we are looking forward to providing that resource for the community.”

Lee said there were originally a few issues with Tacoma Public Utilities to iron out so that the public’s access to the trail would not complicate TPU’s ability to access their power lines.

Terry Larson, capital projects coordinator for Pierce County, said the project has received about $4.6 million from Pierce County and the City of Gig Harbor for the work scheduled for 2008.

Depending on how the contract is designed, Larson said the first leg of construction will be on the section from the Kimball Park & Ride to Rosedale Street and will consist of building a 16-foot-wide, non-motorized trail.

Work also will commence on the section from 56th Avenue and Burnham Drive through to Borgen Boulevard.

“These are the two sections that are budgeted in 2008,” Larson said. “The middle section isn’t funded in this budget. We’ll build as much as we can this year and return to the city council for funding in 2009.”

Larson said the section of the Cushman Trail between those two points is the most expensive section due to “a lot of relocation of power poles.”

“Trails are expensive,” Lee said. “We’re working to acquire the appropriate rights-of-way. We’re also working out the issues of restroom facilities and parking for the trails.

“The Cushman Trail changes to the Scott Pierson trail on the Tacoma Narrows, but eventually the trail will connect the bridge with the city trail,” he added. “We’re always looking for ways to connect these inner-city trails.”

Reach reporter Susan Schell at 253-853-9240 or by e-mail at susan.schell@gateline.com.