Lynnwood First To Finish Portion Of Interurban Trail -- City To Unveil Link In Bicycle, Pedestrian Path Running From Everett To Seattle

Dedication

Lynnwood Mayor Tina Roberts is to dedicate the city's section of the Interurban Trail at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at the park-and-ride lot at 200th Street Southwest and 46th Avenue West. The ceremony will include a bicycle "rodeo," safety checks, refreshments and displays.

LYNNWOOD - Some day, bicyclists and runners will be able to travel from Lynnwood to Seattle without having to dodge cars and buses.

That's the wish, at least.

Tomorrow, the city of Lynnwood will unveil a new trail for bicyclists, runners and walkers. The 10- to 12-foot-wide black ribbon, formally known as the Interurban Trail, stretches 3.8 miles and will lead from the Alderwood Mall area south to 212th Street Southwest near Highway 99.

If users are looking for solitude, they won't get it on this trail, which runs along Interstate 5. It is noisy, but riders and walkers will get their own piece of asphalt, which some day could connect them to other trails in the Seattle area.

Residents using the trail will cross traffic only in two sections, including busy 196th Street Southwest. Planners want to build pedestrian overpasses on 196th and 44th Avenue West to keep riders away from cars.

Lynnwood Parks and Recreation director Bill Evans said the trail was built for less than $1 million. Funding came from the city and the state.

Lynnwood has become the first city to finish its section of the Interurban Trail, which when completed will stretch 13 miles from Everett to Mountlake Terrace.

Planners hope the Interurban someday will be connected to other major trails, including the Burke-Gilman Trail in King County and the Centennial Trail, which begins near Snohomish.

"The interest in bicycle and pedestrian trails has been building in the past 10 years," Evans said.

Mountlake Terrace officials said they have received letters of support from several organizations, including youth groups and business owners who think the trail will attract customers.

Mountlake Terrace Parks and Recreation director Wendy Barry said the city has received $360,000 from the state Department of Transportation for its share of the trail, about 1 1/2 miles long. The city is expected to approve $90,000 for the project.

Most of the trail will run along the Snohomish County Public Utility District right of way.

The PUD has negotiated a 25-year lease with Lynnwood and is working with Mountlake Terrace for a similar deal.

In the early 1900s, the Interurban Trolley line traveled along this route, carrying passengers and freight from Everett to Seattle.