Jeff Humphrey, Media Manager, 509.625.6308
Friday, October 27, 2023 at 3:38 p.m.
Construction is now underway that will complete the final link of the Spokane River Gorge Loop Trail.
The mixed-use pathway will soon take cyclists and pedestrians into uncharted territory below the Monroe Street Bridge.
“We’re taking the trail from CSO 26, along the north face of the tank, down underneath the Monroe Street Bridge and back up the west side of the Monroe Street Bridge. This will complete a connection so we can go all the way down the South Gorge Trail into Peaceful Valley,” said Mark Serbousek, bridge engineer for the City of Spokane.
Once complete, the connection will allow trail users to enjoy new views of the Spokane River Gorge and eliminate the need for walkers and riders to navigate the busy intersection at Monroe Street, Spokane Falls Boulevard and Main Avenue.
“The trail itself will be suspended from the bridge and then, downstream of the bridge, there will be a platform supported by steel pipe which we call ‘piles,’” detailed Serbousek.
The piles help elevate the trail above the uneven terrain that’s too rocky and steep to allow construction of a concrete walkway.
“This is a big factor in addressing safety concerns. Along with that, it allows us to save money where we’re not digging up the hillside. We’re just actually, suspending it in the air on these steel piles,” explained Serbousek.
Serbousek says the project is intended to be complete just in time for a series of events celebrating Expo ‘74’s 50th anniversary in the spring of 2024.
