{"id":869,"date":"2022-06-22t17:19:14","date_gmt":"2022-06-22t22:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snyder-associates.u5fz9z3h-liquidwebsites.com\/?post_type=snyder-projects&p=869"},"modified":"2023-07-10t14:24:27","modified_gmt":"2023-07-10t19:24:27","slug":"oralabor-gateway-trail","status":"publish","type":"snyder-projects","link":"\/\/www.dicovercards.com\/projects\/oralabor-gateway-trail\/","title":{"rendered":"oralabor gateway trail makes key connection for multiple trail networks"},"content":{"rendered":"
most of the trail route has a substantial separation from high-speed vehicle traffic.<\/p><\/div>\n
increasingly, multi-modal trail systems are considered indispensable infrastructure for communities of all sizes. however, it\u2019s also essential that trail systems be linked together to give trail users full access to the places they want to go. the oralabor gateway trail provides one of those critical links, joining the neal smith trail with the confluence of the gay lea wilson trail<\/a> and the soon-to-be-completed, high trestle trail extension<\/a> along oralabor road in ankeny. the engineers and planners with snyder & associates played an instrumental role in the design and alignment of this consequential trail<\/a>.<\/p>\n initially dubbed the neal smith to ankeny trail, the oralabor gateway trail originates at the neal smith trail south of saylorville lake in polk county. the near five-mile-long trail consists of a 10-foot-wide portland cement concrete pathway that travels through rural and agricultural land, as well as city parks and residential neighborhoods<\/a>. completed over the course of two construction seasons, the trail created a vital link that connects a 600-mile trail transportation network in central iowa.<\/p>\n since a portion of the trail was built within the des moines river floodplain, the construction permit required that no fill be placed. this stipulation posed some challenging drainage issues for our design team. however, they were able to skillfully design the trail\u2019s alignment and profile to meet this \u201cno fill\u201d requirement. in the process, our team was also cognizant to minimize the impacts on natural surroundings. all tree and plant removals<\/a> were selective and carefully considered to minimize any environmental impact while also achieving proper design standards.<\/p>\n our team\u2019s trail alignment also took into consideration the existing wetlands in the area. although trail design minimized these impacts, some wetlands could not be avoided. using the state\u2019s wetland mitigation bank<\/a>, the project included the construction of approximately 1\/3 acre of new wetlands to mitigate for the impacted areas.<\/p>\n a durable restroom facility serves trail users at glenbrooke park.<\/p><\/div>\n while most of the trail was constructed on level terrain, one section along northwest 26th<\/sup> street required steeper grades, up to five percent in some places. our designers, however, were still able to account for user accessibility along this section while reducing large earthwork cuts and fills and accommodating the existing drainage patterns. additionally, the gentle curvature of the horizontal alignment adds to the user experience along the trail.<\/p>\n the trail crosses northwest 26th<\/sup> street at the intersection with highway 415. it was designed with future signalization in mind to maximize trail user safety<\/a>. since the trail\u2019s completion, traffic signals<\/a> have been installed at the intersection. further to the east, the trail passes through glenbrooke park. our team added a restroom facility into the design to serve the trail and park visitors.<\/p>\nrural & urban scenery highlights trail route<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
wetland mitigation efforts & user accessibility top priorities<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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right-of-way utilization & pedestrian bridge<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n