I’ve heard that the trail is so wide because it’s funded with grant money from the federal government. Is that correct?

No, that’s not correct. Regardless of funding source, the accepted design standard for shared-use paths of this kind calls for a 10-foot minimum width. In addition, a trail built within the State highway right-of-way must meet State requirements for a shared facility, which require compliance with the accepted design standard. It is true that federal grant requirements include accessibility standards based on the Americans with Disabilities Act, but that standard applies more to trail steepness and surface than trail width.

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1. Frequently Asked Questions
2. What is the Sound to Olympics Trail? Where will it go on Bainbridge?
3. Who is the trail intended for? Won’t it mainly serve people who live off the island?
4. Why does the trail have to be so wide? I’ve seen bike trails in other places that aren’t so wide, and they work just fine.
5. I’ve heard that the trail is so wide because it’s funded with grant money from the federal government. Is that correct?
6. Why would we want to build a trail next to the highway?
7. I saw what happened with the first section of the trail, and I’m worried about impacts to the trees along the highway. Won’t building the trail change the character of the highway corridor?
8. Why would the City spend money on the STO Trail when we have other more pressing needs to address safety for walking and biking on the island?
9. How can we justify spending so much money on the trail when so few people are using it?
10. Why do we need a separated trail along the highway when we already have decent shoulders along most of the highway where people can ride?