Plans released for 30-mile bicycle trail near Red Rock

Public lands planners released their preferred path Thursday for a 30-mile paved trail for bicyclists, joggers, skaters and hikers that will run along state Route 159 from the western outskirts of Las Vegas and beyond the community of Blue Diamond.

Construction of the trail, parking areas and restrooms — expected to cost roughly $15 million in funds from the sale of federal land in Southern Nevada — could begin as soon as 2011, said Jed Botsford, lead outdoor recreational planner for the local Bureau of Land Management office.

About 20 people who attended an open house on finalizing a $250,000 feasibility study for the trail were generally pleased with the design that was aimed at enhancing safety for recreational bicyclists who currently use lanes within a few feet of cars and trucks driving 60 mph on Route 159. The proposed trail would be located within one-fourth of a mile of the highway and would include eight trailheads and two underpasses.

“I’m glad to see it’s finally happening. We fought for it for a long time,” said Heather Fisher, of Blue Diamond who runs a bicycle shop in Las Vegas. “I have kids but I don’t let them ride on the highway.”

Fisher added that the trail “will be great for runners” and will increase the recreational and scenic assets as well as enhance safety at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

“It makes it comparable to other world-class destinations,” she said, referring to bike trails in Alaska, Colorado and Utah.

Botsford and BLM consultants said a decision will be made in the coming months on whether to construct the two-way, 10-foot-wide trail of colored concrete or asphalt.

The BLM plans on using money from this year’s sale of public lands in Southern Nevada to fund the trail, Botsford said. If the cost exceeds the amount of available funds, then construction would possibly occur in phases. Otherwise, he expects trail construction to begin in two years. It will take nine months to a year to complete.

In October, on the 10th anniversary of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, Sens. John Ensign, R-Nev., and Harry Reid, D-Nev., lauded the act for generating more than $3 billion for parks, trails, habitat and educational projects in the state.

In a statement released Thursday in support of the trail project, Reid said, “I look forward to its construction and completion, which will bring new, safe ways for the people of Southern Nevada to experience and enjoy one of our state’s greatest natural treasures.”

Blue Diamond resident and bicyclist-turned-hiker Bob Matthews said Thursday he thought building a safe bike trail would be prudent but he wondered about the cost.

“Is all this money that’s going to be spent going to get the bang for the bucks?” he asked.

He also said he couldn’t argue against making the conservation area safer for biking.

Calico Basin resident Deborah West called the BLM’s plan “a good idea” because it will separate recreational riders and joggers from serious cyclists who use the highway bike lanes to train for races.

“When you get the 'Tour de France’ riders, as I call them, five abreast and 30 of them with the others it all becomes a very dangerous situation,” she said.

BLM officials assured horseback riders that new trails for horses will be available in cases where existing trails are paved for the bike trail.

Wild horse advocate and photographer Mary Sue Kunz said she views the plan skeptically “as a lover of Red Rock.”

“How can a concrete scar complement Red Rock? I’d hate to see them carving it up in any way,” she said.

Contact reporter Keith Rogers at krogers@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0308.