Multi-use path along freeway to be discussed

The latest developments in creating multi-use paths along the Carson City Freeway will be presented to members of the Planning and Parks and Recreation commissions today.

Focus now is on forging an agreement between Carson City and the Nevada Department of Transportation for a path along the southern portion of the freeway from Highway 50 East to the Edmonds Sports Complex.

The two are hoping to avoid putting any path in the NDOT right-of-way - at least for now.

Alignment for this type of path isn't provided in the city's bicycle plan nor its regional transportation plan.

The concept of an extensive multi-use path near the freeway, however, will be part of the city's final "unified pathways" master plan, which focuses on non-motorized paths and trails for cyclists, pedestrians, equestrians, roller-bladers, skateboarders and others.

The city will be responsible for the southern portion of the project, including raising money to build it.

An extension to the linear park near Fifth Street is the lone exception to this NDOT right-of-way avoidance. NDOT now owns the portion of this multi-use path to the north of Fifth Street between Edmonds Drive and Saliman Road.

The city could seek to put sections of the path in NDOT areas in the future, according to the agreement.

Routes near the freeway are "something we still believe - as does the city - will be a critical part" of the unified pathways plan, said Anne Macquarie, with the nonprofit organization Muscle Powered: Citizens for a Bikeable and Walkable Carson City.

However, "We don't want the path to be precluded by various design decisions by NDOT," she said.

Safe use and access are the most important goal in creating paths near the freeway - and everywhere else, Macquarie emphasized.

Macquarie also said she is happy to see space for a path near the northern leg of the freeway, which opened to traffic last week.

-- Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

What: Meeting of Planning and Parks and Recreation commissions

When: 5:30 p.m. today

Where: Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.