Construction of the much-anticipated Town Branch Commons trail network in downtown Lexington is expected to begin in 2018 with completion of the $35.5 million project expected in 2020.
Officials at Tuesday’s Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council work session said the 3.8 mile link will connect Town Branch Trail on the west side of downtown to the Legacy Trail on the eastern end. In between the two trails will be what’s tentatively being called Town Branch Park, to be located behind Rupp Arena.
Van Meter Pettit, president of Town Branch Trail Inc., said that the trail will be “a game-changer” for Lexington because it would improve the beauty and quality of life in the city.
The city recently won a $14.1 million federal grant, which will help pay for a good portion of the project. The city is budgeting funds to help pay for the remaining cost.
When completed, the entire trail will feature 22-miles of contiguous bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Lexington wants to emulate the urban trail systems in other cities it has studied including Indianapolis and Oklahoma City.