Summary

The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation sponsored by Councilmember Reagan Dunn that authorizes King County accept outside donations to support the completion of the Foothills Trail Segment B.

Story

The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation sponsored by Councilmember Reagan Dunn that authorizes King County accept outside donations to support the completion of the Foothills Trail Segment B. The Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition is donating $50,000 and Pierce County is contributing $266,000 to this regional project, for a total of $316,000.

“I am grateful for the partnership with Pierce County and the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition that makes this project possible,” Dunn said. “The Foothills Trail is a resource that crosses jurisdictional boundaries, and it is only through collaboration that we are able to move forward with this exciting addition.”

This new segment will fill the missing 1.5-mile link between trail segments in Buckley and the Pierce County Regional Trail System through a new bridge over the White River. Pierce County’s contribution will specifically support the construction and design of the portion of the bridge that lies within its boundaries.

In addition to providing more opportunities for outdoor recreation, the new trail segment will support economic and civic growth by providing an additional non-motorized transportation option to local businesses.

“We are excited to see the next section of the Foothills Trail completed,” said Roxanne Miles, Director of Pierce County Parks and Recreation. “Connecting communities to accessible, safe recreational spaces not only provides economic benefits, it also provides numerous health and wellness benefits. The Foothills Trail network is a great resource for residents of both counties and we are happy to partner on this connection.”

A 2015 agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation, Pierce County, the City of Buckley, and the City of Enumclaw established the framework and funding for this bridge. Last June, the King County Council approved two approved ordinances allowing King County to develop, maintain, and operate the multi-use bridge, known as the Foothills Segment B addition, for the next 30 years.

“The Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition is thrilled with the passage of Councilmember Dunn’s legislation to get us one step closer to completing this vital link between the communities of Buckley and Enumclaw, and King and Pierce Counties,” said Dan Bucci, President of the Coalition, a community group that has been advocating for the trail since its formation in 1984. “The Foothills Trail White River Bridge is a project that truly embodies the mission of our coalition, which is to support the creation, maintenance and usage of a continuous, non-motorized trail network connecting communities in Pierce County (and beyond) from Mount Rainier to the Puget Sound.”

The Foothills Trail Segment B project was put out to bid in July and awarded to Ceccanti, Inc. in early August. The project will break ground on January 18, 2023, with an estimated completion date of Spring of 2024.

The Foothills Trail consists of 30 miles of trail segments in Pierce County and southern King County along a former Northern Pacific Railway Company rail corridor. This trail includes segments that connect Carbonado to Wilkeson; South Prairie to Puyallup; Cascade Junction to Buckley; and across Enumclaw.

To learn more about the Foothills Trail, visit: https://kingcounty.gov/services/parks-recreation/parks/trails/regional-trails/popular-trails/foothills