Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Phase 4

LOCATION: CEDAR VALLEY NATURE TRAIL, SCHULTZ ROAD TO ASH LANE, NORTH OF CENTER POINT IN LINN COUNTY

CLIENT: LINN COUNTY CONSERVATION

Project Description: This project consisted of hard surfacing an additional 3.5 miles of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail from Schultz Road to Ash Lane north of Center Point in Linn County. The Cedar Valley Nature Trail is a key segment of the American Discovery Trail across the United States, which runs from California to Delaware and currently connects Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. The trail extends through the Cedar Rapids metro area via the Cedar River Trail and Hoover Nature Trail, which has recently been extended south of Ely.

This project involved an upgrade from an existing crushed limestone surface to a smooth asphalt surface in the county and a concrete surface within Center Point. The trail is positioned on an old railroad embankment and included select tree clearing, grading, culverts, subdrains, modified subbase, and paving. Drainage improvements were made where needed and specific segments were raised up to three feet in order to allow proper drainage to occur.

The trail has a variety of adjacent conditions including farmsteads and row crops, pasture land, tree canopies lining the trail, bridges and streams, and a rest area in Center Point that included a restored railroad depot, which now serves as a local museum. Sidewalk connections were upgraded to the depot facility, along with the addition of bike racks, an informational kiosk, and a bicycle tool repair station.

Construction on the Phase 4 segment of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail started in August 2016 and was completed and re-opened in June 2017. The volume of trail users has increased significantly since the reopening of this newly paved section through Center Point.