POV-BikePath-opening-063015VANCOUVER, Wash. – A crowd of about 100 state and local partners, walkers, bicyclists and Port of Vancouver USA staff converged on a spot along Northwest Lower River Road today to cut the ribbon on a new section of multiuse trail and celebrate improved connectivity for the community.

The half-mile section of beautifully landscaped, asphalt trail stretches along the south side of Lower River Road, from the intersection of Mill Plain Boulevard/State Route 501, Fourth Plain Boulevard and St. Francis Lane to the port’s administrative offices. It’s one piece of an overall path that, when fully complete, will extend 4.5 miles along SR 501, eventually connecting with the city’s Renaissance Trail.

“We’re so pleased to be here opening another segment of trail today,” said port commission President Nancy Baker. “It’s important the community have safe access not only to the jobs and industry here at the port, but also the great recreational areas along Lower River Road.”

The port’s multiuse path is being completed in segments as grant funding is secured. The recently completed segment was funded through a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant from the Federal Highway Administration and port dollars, for a total of $362,000.

The port has secured another $500,000 TAP grant for the next section, which will connect the new section with an existing trail at Farwest Steel, about half a mile northwest of the port offices. Construction could begin late this year.

For more about port projects and events, visit www.portvanusa.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@portvanusa).

– POV –

The Port of Vancouver USA is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast, and its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a skilled labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community. For more information, please visit us at www.portvanusa.com.