River Trail Construction Update

Friday, October 5th 2007, 6:00 am

By: News On 6

A vote by Tulsa County residents on a proposed tax for river development isnâ€™t until next Tuesday, but some work on the Arkansas River in Tulsa is already underway. The project has been in the works for years and is privately funded. Its purpose, like other proposed river projects, is to improve the quality of life in Tulsa.

Cyclist Ben Estes rides his bike to the end of the trail, but he sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

"I think itâ€™s wonderful,â€ says cyclist Ben Estes.

He's pleased with the construction underway between 21st and 31st Streets along Riverside Drive.

Workers are constructing a new 18 foot wide dual trail to better accommodate cyclists, walkers and joggers. River Parks officials say itâ€™s needed.

"And this will make the trails safer because this will separate the cyclists and the joggers. We've had some accidents. Weâ€™ve had some near misses. So this is a safety improvement,â€ said River Parks Authority Director Matt Meyer.

People who use the trails agree.

â€œIt's really hard walking on this side of the river, or jogging on this side of the river, cause the bikers, skateboarders nearly run over you,â€ said jogger Delia Bookout.

"The regulars are not a problem. It's the people that show up and this is their first time and they bring the kids and they stop right in the middle of the trail. Thatâ€™s a lot of fun," adds cyclist Ben Estes.

The George Kaiser Foundation forked over $12 million to make the trail improvements. They'll include new benches and lighting.

The first phase of the expansion project is expected to take about three months. Then, the project continues onto 71st Street. After that, it goes across to the west side of the Arkansas River and back. The entire project is expected to take about three years.

Where there is enough room, the improvements will include two separate trails, one for cyclists and one for pedestrians.

Until they're complete, the River Parks Authority advises users to look for signs showing alternate routes and have patience.

Parks officials say it'll be worth it.

"We'll have the best trails within several hundred miles," said River Parks Authority Director Matt Meyer.

Watch the video: River Parks Trail Construction

Watch the WEB EXTRA: Matt Meyers Explains How A River Tax Would Allow For More Trails

Related Stories:

2/9/2007 Record Donation Aids Expansion Of River Parks Trail

6/20/2007 River Development Plans

6/21/2007 New Plans For Arkansas River Development

7/17/2007 River Development Reaches Another Landmark

7/18/2007 River Developments Hinges On Vote Of The People

7/18/2007 Arkansas River Development Plan Announced

7/19/2007 Campaign Planned To Push River Development

7/20/2007 River Development Plan Similar To One Already Passed

7/26/2007 City Councilor Has A New Plan To Pay For River Development

7/29/2007 Explaining Development Along The Arkansas River

7/30/2007 River Tax Debate Continues

7/31/2007 River Plan Not Popular With Tulsa County Residents

7/31/2007 River Plan Reactions

8/9/2007 River Development Plans Move Ahead

8/21/2007 River Tax Groups Turn To The Internet For Support

8/22/2007 Republican Group Against Arkansas River Tax

9/4/2007 Our River Yes Kicks Off River Development Campaign

9/5/2007 People For And Against River Tax Begin Campaigns

9/6/2007 Groups Battling For Votes On Arkansas River Tax

9/8/2007 North Tulsa Residents Rally Against River Tax

9/9/2007 River Tax Supporters Face Upstream Battle

9/13/2007 Rock The River Looks For Your Vote With Entertainment

9/16/2007 More People Getting Behind River Tax Plan

9/19/2007 Students Debate River Tax Plan

9/19/2007 City Takes A Stand Against River Tax

9/20/2007 River Development Swing Vote

9/20/2007 QT Unveils Its Plans For The River

9/21/2007 - From Dry River Bed To Lakeside Community

9/23/2007 - 'Run For Our River' Set for October 7th

9/24/2007 Rally Held Against River Tax Proposal

9/25/2007 - River Tax Supporters Reach Out To North Tulsa Community

9/26/2007 - River Opponents Given New Incentive To Pass River Tax

9/27/2007 Whoâ€™s Donating To River Development?

9/30/2007 After Decades Of Wait And See, River's Future At Crossroads

9/30/2007 Will River Development Hurt Jenksâ€™ River Businesses?

10/1/2007 - Community Will Decide City And County Sales Taxes In Same Election

10/2/2007 - River Tax Forum Held

10/4/2007 - EXCLUSIVE: George Kaiser Talks About The River Tax Proposal

10/4/2007 - Street Construction Money Dispute

10/4/2007 - River Development Plans Hinge On River Tax Vote