Bike path History | Trail Etiquette | Map
In 1991 the federal government enacted the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), whereby federal monies would be set aside for rehabilitation and enhancing the country's transportation system. The funds were allocated to state transportation departments who in turn administered them to various local agencies in the form of Surface Transportation Program (STP) Enhancement funds. These grants
were to be utilized to cover engineering and construction expenditures for transportation based projects. Communities receiving a grant would be responsible for providing only a small portion of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. While the name was different, it still provided the same federal funding from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for local transportation related projects meeting specific criteria.
The City of Rolla has been fortunate enough over the last few years to have received several ISTEA and TFA21 grants from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and has utilized them to fund a multi-phase project intended to provide a comprehensive bike and pedestrian sidewalk network for the citizens of Rolla.
The first phase, completed in 1997, consisted of the installation of approximately 1.6 miles of sidewalk from the Visitor Center on Bridge School Road to and around the University of Missouri Rolla, Golf Course. The second phase, completed in 2000, saw the addition of another 2 miles of eight foot sidewalk from Green Acres Park to Highway 72 along the Dutro Carter Creek and included a pedestrian footbridge, wildlife food plots, an interpretive forest, and off street parking. The third phase of the project, completed in 2003, consisted of the construction of approximately 3.9 miles of sidewalk connecting the previously constructed phases I and II, creating a 7.5 mile long walking / biking path. A series of five-foot walks were built through the urbanized portions of the community.
Phase IV, a .95 mile stretch of sidewalk scheduled for completion in 2003, will connect the southeast portion of town to the previous three phases of the bike path and will run southeasterly along Highway 72 to Osage Drive. Phase V, currently in the design process, will run east from the intersection of Tenth Street and Forum Drive along the south side of Tenth to its intersection with Lovers Lane. This fifth phase will add an additional .75 miles of eight foot walk, for a total of 9.2 miles.
The success of the City's pedestrian / bike path network can be attributed to the time and effort of several different local and state organizations working together to make this project a reality. They are:
- City of Rolla
- Rolla Municipal Utilities
- ACORN (A Community Organization to Restore Nature)
- The Rolla Garden Club
- Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce
- Ozark Rivers Audubon Society
- U.S. Forestry Service
- University of Missouri-Rolla
- Branch Out Missouri Program
- Forest Releaf Missouri
- Missouri Department of Transportation
Bike path Safety and Etiquette
- The trail is open during daylight hours only.
- Alcoholic beverages and controlled substances are prohibited!
- Pedestrians and the handicapped have the right of way at all times.
- Motorized vehicles (except authorized vehicles) and horses are not allowed on the trail.
- Pets must be kept on a maximum 6-foot leash and under control. All pet waste must be removed from along the trail and disposed of properly.
- All skaters and cyclists should wear a helmet at all times.
- Bicyclists are required to obey all traffic signs, controls, signals and crosswalks as per Missouri Law.
- Joggers, cyclists and skaters should obey all posted signs.
- No racing (or pace training practices) on the trail.
- Please stay on the trail and respect the rights and privacy of the adjacent property owners.
- Do not litter along the trail. Please dispose of litter in the appropriate containers.
- Enjoy but do not interfere with wildlife or wildflowers.
- Skaters and cyclists should audibly warn others on the trail of their approach.
- Be considerate of other trail users.
Bike path Map
Click on Map for a printable PDF image.
