The City of Millwood has received funding to plan and design a 1.05 mi. section of a pedestrian/bicycle path on the former Great Northern Railroad right of way which crosses through Millwood south of the active Union Pacific Railroad line. The location of the path is now owned by Spokane County; the City of Millwood has obtained a lease from the County to construct the trail.
The project has been initially named the Millwood Trail. The trail would start at Vista Road, and continue across Argonne Rd and past the city park and Avista substation to the Trent Ave overpass. This section is Millwood's section of a larger trail that would connect Spokane Community College at Green St and continue east of Millwood as the former railroad right of way goes east through Spokane Valley.
The County has used the right-of-way for a sewer trunkline, but otherwise it has been mostly protected from encroachment by neighbors or construction of new crossings of the right-of-way. This makes it ideal for a trail route.
The project significantly expands the choices for non-motorized travel between schools, recreation, commercial districts and residential areas. The trail will provide a safer route for non-motorized travel, improve the quality of life for the neighborhood, and will provide a transportation alternative compatible with the neighborhood character.
Timeline:
Planning and Design: January - June, 2016
Construction: 2017-2018 (funding is not secured at this time)
