The connector will be designed for the community and will provide safe and easy access between the campus and North 21st Street.
Newark, Ohio (Dec. 7, 2020) — The city of Newark, Ohio, has contracted with Woolpert to provide survey, design and right-of-way services for a multiuse trail that will connect the existing multiuse trail on University Drive at the Ohio State University Newark campus to North 21st Street, where many students live, and provide a connection to the T.J. Evans Trail. The 10-foot-wide multiuse trail will be 0.86 miles long and follow the north side of Granville Road.
Woolpert Transportation Engineer and Project Manager Paul Denny said the connector will be designed to meet the needs of the community—including students, families and recreational users—and will focus on sustainability and safety. Engineers will locate the trail next to Granville Road, retrofit the bridge across the Log Pond Run Diversion Channel and improve intersections where needed.
“Safety is key to any trail design, and that will be our top priority,” Denny said. “Many of the engineers on this project are also avid cyclists, so we understand what’s needed and what’s desired from a professional and personal perspective. We’ll provide innovative infrastructure and sound engineering to create a versatile trail that pedestrians and cyclists are sure to enjoy.”
The trail will support the vision of the Licking County Area Transportation Study (LCATS), which plans, programs and secures funds to develop an efficient transportation system for the Newark urbanized area. It also is in line with the county’s efforts to improve the bicycle and pedestrian network through the Active Transportation Plan for the cities of Newark and Heath.
“This trail is the most recent addition to the region’s efforts to extend the bicycle and pedestrian network, which supports the health of our residents and offers greater access to the county’s rich beauty and history,” Newark City Engineer Brian Morehead said. “This trail will improve access to the T.J. Evans Trail and will provide a highly useful connector for people of all ages.”
Right-of-way support will be provided by O.R. Colan Associates. This project is now underway.
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