Construction began on a new ADA-compliant bicycle and pedestrian trail on Monday, which travels around Children's Park, Rio Vista Park and Ramon Lucio Park.
The new bicycle and pedestrian trail, known as the San Marcos River Shared Use Pathway Project, will stretch 1.7-miles and will connect the City of San Marcos’ Visitor's Center, several parks, downtown and Texas State University. The trail will tie into an existing trail east of the Hopkins Street bridge and end approximately 205 feet west of the southbound Interstate 35 access road.
“Although this is a TxDOT project, city staff have been involved with preconstruction planning to ensure that mitigation measures are implemented to protect the San Marcos River and sensitive sites around the project area,” city Director of Parks and Recreation Drew Wells said in a statement. “We’re excited that construction is moving forward on this much needed shared pathway that will provide a safe and sustainable connection for our parks system.”
The trail project will include safety measures such as lights around its path, below-grade crossing at Cheatham Street and the railroad right-of-way at Rio Vista Park.
The San Marcos River Shared Use Pathway Project was originally approved by the city council and submitted to the Texas Department of Transportation in May 2017. A TxDOT contractor will construct the project for an amount not to exceed $1,519,610. The city will provide $500,000 for the project.
The project includes tree protection as TxDOT will prune overgrown trees to allow clearance for equipment and to prevent tree damage throughout construction. Fencing will be added and measures will be taken to protect trunk and root zones, according to the city.
The San Marcos River Shared Use Pathway Project is expected to be completed by early summer, weather permitting.
