Humboldt Rubies Trail

Feasibility Study

Michael Murphy, PE. Diversified Consulting Services

Kevin Lee, PE. 180 W River St, Suite A, Elko, NV 89801

Sections of the Trail�Phase 1 and 2

• Phase 1 – From the east end of the HARP Trail to Spring Valley Pkwy
• 12^th Street
• SR227 / Lamoille Highway
• Phase 2 – From the California Trail Interpretive Center to west end of the HARP Trail
• I-80 Hunter Exit 292
• I-80 West Elko Exit 298 or FR EL 08 (Frontage road on south side of I-80)
• SR535 / West Idaho
• Hot Spring Road
• West Main Street
• Silver Street
• Errecart Boulevard

Sections of the Trail �Phase 3

• Phase 3 – From Palace/ Spring Ck Pkwy to Lamoille Canyon Road
• SR227 (Future Path Alternate)
• Spring Creek Parkway
• Greencrest Drive
• Ashburn Drive
• Hillrose Drive
• Hog Tommy Road
• Lamoille Canyon Road

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Sections of the Trail �Phase 4

• Phase 4 – From West Carlin Exit to the California Trail Interpretive Center
• I-80 West Carlin Exit 279
• SR278
• SR221 / Chestnut Street
• FR EL 05
• Tunnel Bypass bike trail
• I-80
• Hunter Exit
• FR EL 07

Typical Path Configurations

1. Separated Multiple Use Path
2. Adjacent Multiple Use Sidewalk/Path
3. Designated Bike Lanes
4. Shared use lanes

MUTCD Chapter 9 Bicycle Facilities

• Standard Signage Examples

MUTCD Chapter 9 Bicycle Facilities

• Standard Pavement Markings Examples

Phase 1

Sections of the Trail in Phase 1

• Phase 1 – From the east end of the HARP Trail to Spring Valley Pkwy
• 12^th Street
• SR227 / Lamoille Highway

HARP Trail East end

HARP Trail – East End

• HARP Trail to 12th Street
• The existing trail connection is on the east side of 12 Street
• 5-foot-wide concrete sidewalk, signed.
• Study Recommendations
1. Improve signage
1. Combined signage for both Trail names
2. Develop restrictions and speed limits for the trail.
2. Widen the existing sidewalks between 12^th Street and the HARP trail to a 10-foot-wide path to allow better mobility between pedestrians and multi-use. On both sides of 12^th Street is preferred.
3. Construct access two new restriction entrance gates where each path leave 12^th St. to reduce unauthorized vehicles.
4. Per City HARP master plan. construct path under 12^th St. river bridge to link up with sidewalk on east side, that goes to the south toward the multi-family units. Also, this will allow future access the NDOW’s planned urban pond fishing recreation area to the east.

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HARP Trail – East End (continued)

• HARP Trail to 12th Street
• The existing trail connection is on the east side of 12 Street
• 5-foot-wide concrete sidewalk, signed.
• Study Recommendations (continued)

5. Development of a parking lots that are included in the City of Elko’s HARP Master plan.

6. Eventually, it would best if both sides of the 12^th Street had 10- foot-wide access paths from each side of 12th Street to the HARP Trail. Widening either side first will work.

7. Consider widening both existing bridge structures on 12^th St. in the future to provide a 10-foot-wide multi-use path on at least one or both sides.

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SR 227 / Lamoille Highway

SR 227 / Lamoille Highway

• From 12^th Street to Pinion Road

Speed – 35 to 45 mph AADT – 27,500 Sidewalk – 4 or 5 ft Shoulder – 2 to 5ft

• Study Recommendations
1. Install trail signage and consider signage for bicycles being on the shoulders until a complete path can be constructed.
2. Raise headwalls on RCB on the north side of Metzer and relocate drainage from Pinion to Colt, to allow construction of a 10-foot-wide adjacent multi-use path.
3. Widen existing sidewalk to 10-foot-wide or construct new 10-foot adjacent multi-use path on west side of Lamoille Hwy.
4. Upgrade street crossings at Metzer Rd., Sunrise Dr., Colt Dr. and Pinion Rd. install new 10 ft ADA ramps with crosswalk. With overhead street lighting where missing.
5. Consider completing the missing sidewalk on east side of Lamoille Highway to to at least 5-foot or possibly 10-foot-wide allow as this will allow better movements on both sides and reduce the need bikes or alternative vehicles to cross the highway to get to the widened trail on west side of SR227.

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SR 227 / Lamoille Highway

SR 227 / Lamoille Highway

• From Pinion Road to Errecart Boulevard

Speed – 50 mph AADT – 27,500 Path – 10 ft Shoulder – 5 ft

• Study Recommendation
1. Install trail signage and consider signage for bicycles being on the shoulders until a complete path can be constructed.
2. Raise the headwall and possibly extend existing reinforced concrete box drainage structure for future path to go over the top of it.
3. Construct 10-foot-wide multi-use path for the 2300 ft of frontage between Pinion and Errecart that have not been built yet. There are two sections of the path currently exist. The first section of existing 10 ft path is front of Sticks & Stones for 860 ft. The second section of existing path is for 450 ft in a short portion of NNRH’s frontage.
4. Design the intersection Lamoille Highway/Errecart for future improvements.
1. For the future connection of possible bike lanes on the City of Elko’s extension Errecart Blvd to the west.
2. Upgrade the traffic signal on all approaches for pedestrian facilities including ADA ramps, bikes and alternative vehicle use.
3. Include installing 10-foot-wide multi-use path crossing on Errecart Blvd.

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SR 227 / Lamoille Highway

SR 227 / Lamoille Highway

• From Errecart Boulevard to SR 228 / Spring Valley Parkway

Speed – 50 to 55 mph AADT – 16,400 Shoulder – 2 to 5 ft.

• Study Recommendations
• The use of shoulders for travel is not recommended for bikes and alternative travel in this section, but still available.
• Continue with the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant applications to construct separated multi-use path on the west side of Lamoille Highway.
• Decide on standards for the path, full ADA compliant or not. The grade of the path may not be economically feasible for full ADA compliance.
• Project was scoped under the FLAP grant and preliminary cost was calculated to 16 million.

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SR 227 / Lamoille Highway

• From Errecart Boulevard to SR 228 / Spring Valley Parkway

Speed – 50 to 55 mph AADT – 16,400 Shoulder – 2 to 5 ft.

• Study Recommendations (Continued)
• Construct 10-foot-wide multi-use path with separation on west side parallel to SR227. May need to be done in phased construction depending on grant availability.
• Construct trail crossings at Elko Vista Dr. and Hill Top Rd.
• Upgrade the existing traffic signal at SR227 - SR228/ Spring Valley Pkwy.
1. All approaches of the signal need pedestrian crossing facilities installed, including ramps and pedestrian signal heads.
2. Construct 10-foot-wide multi-use path crossing on both SR228 and SR227.
3. Install concrete curb and all corners to provide additional safety for pedestrians/bikes waiting at corners.
• Coordinate with Spring Creek Association and NDOT to try and develop a parking lot that will provide access for park and ride. There may be a possibility to use the Spring High School parking lot in the interim, with limitations or possibly seasonal restrictions. The old NDOT Weigh Station widened area may work also.

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Phase 2

Sections of the Trail in Phase 2

• Phase 2 – From the California Trail Interpretive Center to west end of the HARP Trail
• I-80 Hunter Exit 292 (Future Alternate - Separated Path on south side of I-80)
• I-80 West Elko Exit 298 – (Future Path to FR EL 08 on south side of I-80)
• SR535 / West Idaho
• Hot Spring Road
• West Main Street
• Silver Street
• Errecart Boulevard

I-80

I-80 and Separated Path and FR EL 08

I-80 and Separated Path and FR EL 08

• I-80 from Hunter Exit 292 to West Elko Exit 298

Speed – 75 mph AADT – 12,600 Shoulder – 8 feet with rumble strips

Alternate Future Multi-use Trail to FR EL 08, then to SR535 (West Idaho St.)

Speed - 45 mph on FR EL 08 AADT - <50 Shoulder – 1 foot

• Study Recommendations
1. Improve signage
1. Install signage HRT Trail
2. Consider installing shared use signage for bikes on emergency shoulder.
3. Install share use signage and pavement markings on FR EL 08 as use is currently there.
2. Travel on I-80 shoulders by bikes, pedestrians and alternative vehicles is allowed, but not recommended in standard guidelines.
3. Pursue grant applications to construct separated multi-use path on the south side of I-80 from Hunter to end of FR EL 08.

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I-80 and Separated Path and FR EL 08

• I-80 from Hunter Exit 292 to West Elko Exit 298

Speed – 75 mph AADT – 12,600 Shoulder – 8 feet with rumble strips

Alternate Future Multi-use Trail to FR EL 08 then to SR535 (West Idaho St.)

Speed - 45 mph on FR EL 08 AADT - <50 Shoulder – 1 foot

• Study Recommendations
4. Relocate the Trail to the new separated multi-use trail as soon as possible.
5. Work with NDOT and FHWA to relocate control of access line to allow trail within the NDOT R/W but outside control of access or create control of access openings at Hunter and the end of FR EL 08.
6. Construct 10 ft wide multi-use path with separation on south side parallel to I-80. May need to be done in phased construction depending on grant availability.
7. Construct access at both Hunter and the west end of FR EL 08 that allows proper uses but prevents livestock and unauthorized use.

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SR 535 / West Idaho Street

SR 535 (West Idaho Street)

• From West Elko Exit 298 to Hot Springs Road

Speed – 45 mph AADT – 3,300 Shoulder – 1 to 5 ft.

• Study Recommendations
• The use of shoulders for travel is not recommended, due to being narrow areas at various turn lane areas and speed, but still available for shared lane use.
• Consider installing signage
1. Install HRT Trail
2. Consider shared use lane signage, pavement markings in areas with no shoulders. shoulder use as path during interim.
• Pursue grant applications to construct separated multi-use path on the south side of West Idaho Street. Possibly on an easement from UPRR where the City of Elko recently install sewer lines.
• Construct 10-foot-wide multi-use path with separation on south side parallel to West Idaho Street. May need to be done in phased construction depending on grant availability. May be possible to put the path on existing City of Elko easement for a sewer easement with UPRR.
• Construct crossing signage as well as pedestrian pavement markings across both Hot Springs Road and West Idaho Street. This will allow riders to cross and ride on the proper sides of the roadways

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Hot Springs Road & West Main Street

Hot Springs Road & West Main Street

• From SR535 to Silver Street

Speed – 25 mph AADT –710 Sidewalk - 5 ft Shoulder – 12 ft.

• Study Recommendations
• Install HRT Trail signage.
• Work with the City of Elko, NDOT and UPRR to find funding to widen the existing railroad crossing improvement for the industry track that serves Tricon, so that is matches the width of the street on each side of the railroad track crossing.
• Consider painting on street bike lanes on the full width street area with appropriate signage. Several configuration options.
1. 8’ parking, 5’ bike lane and 11’ travel (preferred)
2. 9’ parking, 4’ bike lane and 11’ travel
3. Remove parking on one side, 7’ bike lane, 12’ travel, 12 travel, 7’ bike lane, 11‘ parking
• Construct widened “at grade” railroad track crossing with any required improvements. UPRR Standards do not allow a separated multi-use trail crossing at grade but does allow at grade crossing when bike lanes are incorporated into normal at grade street crossing.
• Develop pedestrian crossing at intersection of the road going to the back of the charter school to provide better access to the school.

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I-80 to HARP Trail

Silver Street

Silver Street

• From West Main Street to Errecart Boulevard

Speed – 35 mph AADT – 11,700 Sidewalk - 5 ft Shoulder – 2 to 8 ft.

• Study Recommendations
• The use of shoulders for travel is within recommendation, provided the narrow area at right turn lane on to Errecart is addressed.
• Consider up-grading the pedestrian crossing at intersection of West Main / Silver Street with an interactive flashing lights for the trail and pedestrians to cross Silver St. and then consider removing school zone speed reduction on Silver Street.
• Consider removing on street parking on each side of Silver Street in this area, Install bike lane pavement markings and signage using that shoulder area (8 feet). Address share use lane for the right turn lane from Silver Street to Errecart Blvd.
• Upgrade the existing traffic signal pedestrian crossings and for bike and alternative uses for both Silver and Errecart crossings.
• The proposed bike lanes could continue to the east on Silver Street to access downtown.
• Consider in future, to construct a 10-foot-wide multi-use on the west side of Silver Street to allow a multi-use path in front of the Elko County Juvenile Center and Sheriff’s Office property. This would reduce conflicts in the trail crossing back and forth on Silver street.

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Errecart Boulevard

Errecart Boulevard

• From Silver Street to Elko Sports Complex Access

Speed – 35 mph AADT – 4,200 Sidewalk – 4 ft Shoulder – 2 ft

• Study Recommendations
• Install HRT Trail signage.
• Multiple use of the existing 4 ft sidewalk on the bridge structure is not recommended due to its width is to narrow for passing.
• Consider installing shared lane use signage and pavement markings on the outside travel lanes on the bridge.
• Consider installing a marked pedestrian crossing across Errecart Blvd at Sport Complex approach until the HARP Trail is extended to the Sport
• Consider installing signage at the Elko Sports Complex for both HRT and HARP Trail for park and ride opportunities using the parking lot at the Spart Complex.

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HARP Trail

HARP Trail – West End

• Errecart Blvd to HARP Trail
• There is currently no trail connection at Errecart Blvd.
• Study Recommendations
1. Consider constructing a basic unimproved trail from Errecart Blvd. to the current end of the HARP trail. To allow some use during interim.
2. Improve signage
1. Install combined signage for both Trail names.
2. Cooperatively develop restrictions and speed limits for the combined trail area as they may different than the normal Humboldt Rubies Trail.
3. Coordinate locations for access barriers to help restrict unauthorized vehicles. Install proper signage at those locations,

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HARP Trail – West End (continued)

• Errecart Blvd to HARP Trail (continued)
• There is currently no trail connection is on the east side of Errecart Blvd.
• Study Recommendations
3. Pursue grants and funding sources to extend the HARP Trail to the Elko Sport Complex per the City of Elko’s HARP Master Plan.
4. Construct the trail from Errecart to the current west end of HARP trail.
5. Construct the trail from east side of Errecart to the west side of Errecart (under the existing bridge to Sports Complex)
6. Develop the HARP Trail parking lot on east side of Errecart Blvd per City of Elko’s HARP Master Plan. The parking lot for the Sport Complex will work in the interim.

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Phase 3

Sections of the Trail in Phase 3

• Phase 3 – From the Palace/Spring Ck Pkwy to Lamoille Canyon Road
• SR227 (future alternate)
• Spring Creek Parkway
• Greencrest Drive
• Ashburn Drive
• Hillrose Drive
• Hog Tommy Road
• Lamoille Canyon Road

SR227 Lamoille Highway

SR227 Lamoille Highway (future alternate)

• Palace / Spring Creek Parkways to Lamoille Canyon Road
1. This route will eventually become the primary trail.
2. Lack of actual right-of-way for the existing Lamoille Highway in most of this phase will make construction of a multi-use path infeasible until right-of-way is acquired by NDOT or others, at sometime in the future.
3. It is possible to construct portion of the trail in Spring Creek Association’s property, but lack of any type of R/W from the Pleasant Valley Subdivision to Lamoille Canyon Road without acquiring considerable amount of Right–of-way reduces feasibility for now.
4. Right-of-way for the trail could be acquired, but it is impossible to know where NDOT may need to purchase its right-of-way for the future roadway needs and it may conflict. In addition, grant funding opportunities for right-of-way acquisitions are limited
5. This alternate will probably become feasible when NDOT does widening or major improvement to SR227 in the Phase 3 area.

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Spring Creek Parkway

Spring Creek Parkway – Section 1

Spring Creek Parkway

• From SR227 (Lamoille Hwy) to Greencrest Drive

Speed – 35 mph AADT – 2,200 Sidewalk – None Shoulder – 6 ft

• Study Recommendations
• Consider installing a 6-foot-wide striped bike lane in each direction at the edge of the existing roadway.
• Install signage and pavement markings.
1. Install bike lane signage
2. Install pavement marking for bike lanes
3. Install additional speed limit signage
• installing a marked pedestrian crossings across both Greencrest Dr and Spring Creek Pkwy.
• Consider future connecting path along Country Club Drive to Liberty Peak Elementary School.
• Consider installing informational signage at Greencrest Dr / Spring Creek Parkway intersection to give guidance to interconnect with existing Marina Area Trail System.
• Consider developing a Park and Ride parking lot in the general area of SR227 on either Spring Creek Parkway or Palace Parkway.

Greencrest Dr, Ashburn Dr & Hillrose Dr

Greencrest Dr, Ashburn Dr & Hillrose Dr- Section 2

Greencrest Dr, Ashburn Dr & Hillrose Dr

• From Spring Creek Pkwy to Hog Tommy Rd

Speed – 35 mph AADT – Less than 500 Sidewalk – None Shoulder – None

• Study Recommendations
• Consider installing shared lane use signage and pavement markings on the travel lanes.
• Install signage and pavement markings.
1. Install HRT Trail signage
2. Install Shared Lane signage
3. Install shared use symbol pavement markings in lanes

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Hog Tommy Rd & Lamoille Canyon Rd

Hog Tommy Rd & Lamoille Canyon Rd – Section 3

Hog Tommy Road & Lamoille Canyon Rd

• From Hillrose Drive to SR227 (Lamoille Highway)

Speed – 35 mph AADT – 85 Sidewalk – None Shoulder – None

• Study Recommendations
• Install HRT Trail signage.
• Consider installing shared lane use signage.
• Coordinate with NDOT to request permission to install pedestrian/bike crossing at intersection of Lamoille Canyon Rd. / SR227 to get across and travel up into Lamoille Canyon.
• In the future, up-grade the crossing signage to be interactive lighted signs if usage justifies it.
• Consider developing a Park and Ride parking lot at the corner of Hog Tommy Road and Sunset Lane. This is Elko County owned property and was formally used as a land fill. With careful planning of facilities, this could be developed into Humboldt Rubies Trail Head as well as parking.

Phase 4

Sections of the Trail in Phase 4

• I-80 West Carlin Exit 279
• SR278
• SR221 (Chestnut Street)
• FR EL 05
• Tunnel Bypass bike trail
• I-80
• Hunter Exit
• FR EL 07

I-80 West Carlin Exit

I-80 West Carlin Exit

• From West Carlin Exit 279 to SR278 Carlin to Eureka Road

Speed – 75 mph AADT – 100 Shoulder – Varies

• Study Recommendations
• This will the beginning of the Humboldt Rubies Trail
• Install signage and pavement markings
1. Install HRT Trail signage
2. Install Bike Route Signage for east bound bikes to exit.
3. Install shared use lane signage.
4. Consider pavement markings to allow shared lanes
• The City of Carlin is currently planning bike trail system just north of the exit that could interconnect with this trail.

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SR 278 / Carlin to Eureka Road

SR 278 / Carlin to Eureka Road

• From West Carlin Exit 279 to SR221 Chestnut Street

Speed – 35 mph AADT – 710 Shoulder – 1 to 4 ft. with rumble strips

• Study Recommendations
• Consider using the travel lanes for shared lane use. The use of shoulders for travel is not recommended, due to being narrow areas and inconsistent,
• Install signage and pavement markings
1. Install HRT Trail signage
2. Install shared use signage.
3. Consider pavement markings to allow shared lanes

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SR 221 / Chestnut Street

SR221 (Chestnut Street)

SR 221 (Chestnut Street)

• From SR278 to SR766 Chestnut Street

Speed – 15 to 35 mph AADT – 700 Shoulder – 1 to 17 ft. with rumble strips in some areas, widen areas with parking

• Study Recommendations
• Recommend share use lanes from SR278 to 3^rd Street.
• Install HRT Trail, and shared use lane signage. Consider installing shared use symbol pavement markings in lanes.
• Recommend installing a marked 4 to 5 ft wide bike lane in the area from 3rd St intersection to the SR766 intersection.
• Install HRT Trail and bike lane signage. Consider installing bike lane symbols pavement markings in bike lanes.
• Upgrade the pedestrian crossing facilities at marked crossing in front of the Carlin Combined School to allow access to west bound bike lanes.
• Consider using Chinese Garden Recreation area as a Park and Ride. The area already has basic restroom facilities and parking. The access is on SR221 near the SR278 intersection.

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SR 221 (Chestnut Street)

SR 221 (Chestnut Street)

• From SR766 to FR EL 05

Speed – 25 to 45 mph AADT – 700 Shoulder – 4 to 17 ft. with rumble strips in some areas, widen areas with parking

• Study Recommendations
• Recommend installing a marked 4- to 5-foot-wide bike lanes in the area from the SR766 intersection to 14^th Street.
• Install HRT Trail and bike lane signage. Consider installing bike lane symbols pavement markings in bike lanes.
• Recommend share use lanes from 14^th Street to the start of FR EL 05 at the turn to go to the East Carlin Exit.
• Install HRT Trail, and shared use lane signage. Consider installing shared use symbol pavement markings in lanes.

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FR EL 05 (old US40 detour route)

FR EL 05 (old US40 detour route)

• From SR221 to Tunnel Bypass Bike Paths

Speed – 25 to 45 mph AADT – 280 Shoulder – 1 ft.

• Study Recommendations
• Consider using travel lanes for shared use lanes.
1. Install HRT Trail signage.
2. Install shared use lane signage.
3. Consider install Share lane symbol pavement markings
• We discuss with NDOT to set up planning for alternate routing of bikes and the trail when NDOT is using this frontage road for a traffic detour around the tunnel. This occurs during construction and maintenance

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Tunnel Bypass Bike Lanes

Tunnel Bypass Bike Lane

• FR EL 05 to I-80

Speed – none AADT – 280 Shoulder – 0 ft.

• Study Recommendations
• The existing 5 ft bike lanes are compliant and meet most standards the required cattle guard on east bound lane does not meet ADA requirements, but there are limited options to correct it.
• The west bound bike has been gated off now and the gate must be bypassed on the shoulder.
• Coordinate with NDOT to provide the required access to FR EL 05 from the west bound direction.
• Install HRT Trail, and shared use signage where applicable. Consider pavement markings on bike lanes.

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I-80

I-80

• I-80 from the Tunnel Bypass Bike Paths to Hunter Exit 292

Speed – 75 mph AADT – 12,600 Shoulder – 8 with rumble strips

• Study Recommendations
1. Improve signage
1. Install signage HRT Trail
2. Consider installing shared use lane signage for bike on emergency shoulder.
2. Travel on I-80 shoulders by bikes, pedestrians and alternative vehicles is allowed, but not recommended in standard guidelines.
3. In the future when major reconstruction of the bridge structures occurs, consider pursuing grant applications to construct separated multi-use path on a combination of the north and south side of I-80 from tunnel to end of FR EL 06. The construction of this separated path is very expensive and beyond a reasonable amount considered to be feasible in this report.

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FR EL 07 (Frontage Rd across I-80)

FR EL 07 (Frontage Rd across I-80)

• From I-80 Hunter Exit to California Trail Interpretive Center Road

Speed – 25 to 45 mph AADT – 280 Shoulder – 1 ft.

• Study Recommendations
• Install HRT Trail, and shared use signage. Consider pavement markings to allow shared lanes/shoulders to be use as path.
• Consider install a outside charging station for E-Bikes at the Trail Center.
• Consider additional bicycle parking racks

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California Trail Center Road

California Trail Center Road

• From FR EL 07 to California Trail Interpretive Center

Speed – 25 AADT – less than 280 Shoulder – 1 ft.

• Study Recommendations
• Recommend share use lanes.
• Install HRT Trail, and shared use lane signage. Consider pavement markings to allow shared lanes/shoulders to be use as path.
• At the Trail Center parking lot, they are considering installing a outside charging station for E-Bikes along with one for vehicles.
• Consider installing additional bicycle parking racks.

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Summary

• The Humboldt Rubies Trail Feasibility Study
• Study Benefits
• Will provide a concept for future improvements needed to create the trail and improve it over time.
• It will document the investigation of what alternatives were looked at, the findings and general scoping information for the identified improvements.
• It will allow all the interested shareholders the needed information to proceed with pursuing grant funding, as either an individual or as a group.
• Show how the Humboldt Rubies Trail will become integral part of an alternative transportation network serving the entire area.

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