Trail connecting Crested Butte and Carbondale receives funding

Bridge to be built over Anthracite Creek

The Crested Butte to Carbondale connecting trail came one step closer to reality this week as Gunnison County secured a grant agreement for $108,000 to pay for the construction of a bridge over Anthracite Creek.

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In the works for several years, the trail will span more than 70 miles between the two mountain towns and will also serve as a connecting trail to other regional trails. As of October 2012, 26 miles of the trail had been completed, and further work hinged on the bridge construction.
As part of the application for the grant, Gunnison County Public Works director Marlene Crosby wrote, “This phase of the project is critical for future development of the trail and to continue connecting the trail from Crested Butte to Carbondale. It also moves recreationalists off County Road 12 (Kebler Pass) and bypasses numerous switchbacks on the county road which are a safety concern due to potential conflicts between vehicles and recreationists.”
The State of Colorado, the Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Parks and Wildlife are providing the grant in agreement with the Gunnison County Trails Commission. The Trails Commission provided $32,000 as part of a match and in-kind contributions.
When completed the trail will be usable by hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and non-motorized recreationalists and will follow the West Elk Scenic and Historic Byway.
“This is a very cool thing,” said Gunnison County Commissioner Paula Swenson. “Receiving funding for the bridge construction is a huge step toward ensuring trail connectivity and the completion of the project.”
Construction on the bridge will take place next summer.