Findlay begins large trail expansion

Work is now underway on the $2.7 million extension of Findlay's Greenway Trail. The shared-use path will start at the existing Greenway Trail on East Main Cross Street and will extend to the east towards the County Road 236 shared-use path. The project is being funded by a $2.2 million grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation, with the city to pay the balance. The contract for the project was awarded to Helms & Sons Excavating Inc., Findlay. The path will traverse under the Bright Road overpass, turn south towards Ohio 568, and then turn back to the east. At the Blanchard River, a new pedestrian bridge will be erected, just north of the existing bridge, to get users across the Blanchard River. Detailed construction updates will be posted along with the impacted route on the City of Findlay's website, www.findlayohio.gov, throughout construction. During construction, traffic shall be maintained along Ohio 568 by closing the westbound shoulder and allowing vehicles to travel along an eleven-foot-wide lane in the westbound direction. Access will be maintained to all adjacent properties and businesses for the duration of the project. A portion of this path will take place within the boundaries of Eastpoint Area and Vogelsong Conservation Preserve. Work within these parks will consist of the installation of the shared-use path. The parks are designated as public recreational property, which is owned and maintained by the Hancock Park District. As a designated public recreational property, it is afforded protection under federal law. Work at this location will also occur in the regulated floodplain for the Blanchard River. Impacts on this floodplain are anticipated to be minor and result in no rise in localized flood levels. The path will also require a minor amount of tree removal; work within a designated wetland; and work within portions of the Blanchard River. It is anticipated that the work will result in minor impacts or disruption to the designated areas. Once the second phase of the Greenway Trail project is completed, users will be able to access the existing Greenway Trail that travels along the Blanchard River within the city, as well as the multi-use path on Ohio 236. The first leg of the Greenway Trail was installed as part of the roadway widening project. The extension is expected to be open by fall. It is expected the path will be available for users in Fall 2023.