Trails advocates commend state agency’s interest in accommodating non-motorized transportation modes
Advocates for developing Alaska’s trails say they’re glad to see that the state Department of Transportation is including trails in its long-range plans. DOT scheduled two sessions on trails as part of a weeklong series of virtual focus-group meetings on different transportation modes.
Eric Troyer is the president of the Fairbanks Cycle Club, and he’s a member of several trails organizations and the Nordic Ski Club. He says he’s glad DOT is including a trails component in its Long Range Transportation Plan. The document will guide development of policies and strategies for different modes of transportation around the state for the next 30 years.
“Trail advocates like myself have often argued that trails are a vital part of transportation, especially in Alaska and out in the bush,” he said. “They're critical, and so to actually have them as part of an overall transportation plan shows that that the state is recognizing that importance.”
Troyer says it’s significant that DOT is asking for public comments on the development and maintenance of trails.
“Non-motorized transportation is often given a short shrift in these transportation meetings,” he said, “and the fact that they are setting aside some time and space just for that is very valuable, from my point of view.”
Mindy Eggleston is president of the Delta Junction Trails Association. And she shares Troyer’s enthusiasm over DOT’s interest in getting the public’s perspective input on trails.
“ I'm really excited to see DOT looking for public input for a transportation vision that includes trails and rural roads,” she said. “A practical plan provides opportunities to build and support needed trails throughout Alaska.
DOT scheduled eight focus-group sessions this week related to different modes of transportation, including two related to trails.
According to the website, those sessions were intended to invite public opinion on the integration of walking, biking, and other forms of trail-based travel to promote things like tourism and public health.
Troyer says those objectives reflect the interests of bikers and hikers and others who enjoy traversing trails.
“As a Cycle Club president, we want to encourage that non-motorized transportation,” he said. “It's very important that we get people out moving and exercising and using roads less with their cars, because it's better for them and it's better for our roads.”
Troyer said Fairbanks Cycle Club members and other volunteers completed work last summer on a single-track trail. And they plan to get to work on another trail project this coming summer.
Eggleston says all the public comments will enable DOT to help organizations like the Delta Trails Association and others statewide to plan and maintain all around the state.
“ For outdoor recreation here in the Delta Junction area, trail development, maintenance, grooming is so important,” she said. “And with the future development over the next 30 years, trails and rural roads will play a vital role for accessing our needs and wants.”
DOT also is inviting the public to enter their responses on the long-range plan’s website. DOT spokesperson Angelica Stabs says the agency anticipates all the feedback will greatly help development of the long-term plan.
“ After these focus groups are done, we’ll have better information,” she said. “and we’re going to take that information and use it.”
All of this week’s sessions are being conducted online, but Stabs says the department is planning to hold in-person meetings this spring or summer.
March 8 is the comment deadline for the draft transportation plan assessment. She says the DOT will provide more opportunities later in the year to comment on the final draft of the plan.
The agency hopes to adopt the plan by the end of the year.
