The Cyclists of Greene recently donated $1,400 to the Greene County conservation board toward the cost of paving the 11 gravel road crossings of the Raccoon River Valley Trail in the county.
According to Greene County conservation director Dan Towers, the crossings at gravel roads are hazardous for bicyclists as they maneuver through the gravel. There are 11 unpaved crossings between Jefferson and Herndon. Dallas County has all paved crossings, and Guthrie County has only five unpaved crossings.
The safety and ease of traveling on the Greene County portion of the trail has become more important with the opening in 2013 of a 72-mile interior loop in the trail, making the Greene County portion of the 89-mile trail a spur off the northwest part of the loop. Bicyclists have options, and paved crossings may become a factor in deciding which portion of the trail to ride.
Towers said the cost of paving the crossings averages $5,000. Total cost of the project is $59,000. The Greene County Community Foundation last week awarded a $14,750 grant for the project.
The Cyclists of Greene’s gift came from funds raised at the Market to Market Relay last May and the Iowa Bicycle Festival in August.
