A semi-permanent fence protects trail users from falling into the creek that runs parallel to Frisco Trail just south of Center Street in Fayetteville. Repairs to the section of trail, which was damaged in the April 2011 floods, could begin in a couple months.
Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
When Trails Coordinator Matt Mihalevich said last May that a flood-damaged portion of Frisco Trail could be in some state of disrepair for up to 12 months, he wasn’t exaggerating.
It seemed like a conservative estimate at the time, but as it turns out, it’s going to be a little longer than that before the section of trail just south of the Center Street crossing is back to its normal, two-lane self.
Heavy flooding last April caused a large portion of the streamside slope leading up to the trail to be washed away. As a result, large pieces of the path’s asphalt tore apart and fell into the creek.
Since then, a semi-permanent fence has surrounded the damage, effectively closing the southbound lane from trail traffic.
Part of the expected delay was attributed to the lengthy processes needed just to get the project out for bid. The slope damage was so severe that repairs required a lot more than just pouring some concrete.
“It’ll need a full design, engineering, consultants, everything,” Mihalevich told us last May.
A bid invitation for construction on the trail was sent out by city staff this week, however, signifying those processes are now complete and repairs are finally on the way.
“We’ve been very diligent in the planning process,” Mihalevich said Thursday. “We wanted to make sure we chose a thorough design that was cost effective, but that was going to last.”
Mihalevich said his department is set to receive nearly $73,000 in FEMA assistance for the repair project, which he estimates will cost about $200,000 to complete.
Part of the cost includes building a temporary path around the construction site to help limit the amount of time the trail section will need to be closed which repairs are being made.
Mihalevhich said the project could begin as early as a month after the City Council accepts a bid, which should be up for consideration by mid-April.
