Missouri Bicycle News

The Missouri Bicycle Federation has been leading an effort to build public support for "Completing the Katy Trail", from state line to state line, and connecting the Katy Trail to communities along its route.

MoBikeFed's effort, supported by other major bicycling and trail advocacy organizations across the state, is clearly paying off. The Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources is paying more attention to this issue.

But more support is needed--spending a moment writing an email to MO DNR Director Doyle Childers is still time well spent.

An article in this week's St. Louis Post-Dispatch outlines some of the difficulties still to be overcome in extending the eastern end of the Katy Trail:

While momentum has been building over the past several months to get the trail extended from its westernmost point in Clinton to Kansas City, the effort on this side of the state to complete the trail to Machens has moved in fits and starts. The section of trail has long been depicted on Katy Trail maps as a dotted line.

Trail users want a solution. There is some movement, but no immediate fix is in sight.

Floods have washed away parts of the trail, and disagreements among government agencies and landowners have delayed construction. . . .

About five miles north of St. Charles, a large "scour hole" created by floodwater has carved a watery, 600-foot gap in the middle of the trail right of way. The thumb-shaped washout still connects to the river. The hole may make for great fishing, but unless you're training for a triathlon, it complicates biking and hiking. . . .

Fitch pointed out the spot where the Katy Trail would continue on the other side of the scour hole, if there were a bridge to get there. Building one would cost at least $1 million.

Related:

Missouri bicycle trails and trail maps

Missouri bicycle trails and trail maps

Missouri bicycle trails and trail maps

permanent link to article: "Connecting Katy Trail to St. Louis must overcome obstacles"
posted by Brent Hugh at 10/05/2005 02:12:00 PM |comment on this article