Dayton, Tenn., officials are planning to build a greenway trail that will connect Bryan College, Point Park and the downtown area with underpasses to cross beneath U.S. Highway 27 and State Highway 30. Tyler Ray, near, LaCrysta Gunter and their dog Sophie walk over the creek on the bridge at Richland Creek Park in Dayton on Wednesday.Almost two miles of greenway proposed for Dayton, Tenn., will answer pedestrian connectivity and safety issues with a beautiful winding trail that will give people traveling on foot access to parks, shopping and Bryan College.
"One of the best aspects is that we will have three points for pedestrians to safely cross the busy [U.S.] Highway 27 four-lane," said Dennis Tumlin, executive director of the Rhea Economic and Tourism Council, based in Dayton.
Tumlin said the safety problem was illustrated over the summer when 12,000 visitors to the Bassmaster Bassfest fishing tournament had to get from parking areas on the downtown side of Highway 27 to the lake on the other. Officials wanted to address the pedestrian access problem so no one would get hurt.
"As we explored solutions, we began envisioning a larger idea to accomplish multiple goals," Tumlin said.
The safety problem blossomed into a $3 million idea for a greenway that stretches from one end of town to the other.
Officials wanted to also provide a way for Bryan College's 750 or so resident students to bike or walk to downtown Dayton and other recreational areas that will be connected to the greenway.
"We are planning a pedestrian overpass near the Bryan College entrance to facilitate that connection, which is also going to connect to a new 'Community Collaborative' fitness facility -- operated by the YMCA -- near that greenway entrance," Tumlin said.
Plans also include two pedestrian bridges across creeks, a dog park and connecting paths under two U.S. 27 bridges and one state Highway 30 bridge linking to Chickamauga Lake.
Besides addressing safety, the greenway "nicely flows along Little Richland Creek and [offers] scenic beauty for the nature lover as well," Tumlin said.
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation greenways and trails coordinator Bob Richards said Dayton's plan is an example of how to do the project right and address safety needs at the same time. He plans to use it as a part of the state's next greenways and trails plan document.
"I'm looking for creative and innovative solutions and Dayton's project sits in that category," Richards said. "Dayton's project specifically addresses a major safety need as well as increasing opportunities as far as walking and bicycling."
Tumlin said officials in Dayton are working on two Tennessee Department of Transportation grants to raise about $2.5 million with a 5 percent local match. The total estimated cost of the multiphase project is about $3 million.
"If grants are awarded, we will begin engineering next summer in preparation for public bidding," Tumlin said. "We hope that construction can begin by this time next year if everything goes smoothly."
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.