Salt Lake County has been developing the Parley's Trail system, which connects the Bonneville Shoreline Trail with the Jordan River Parkway Trail, for over a decade. The previous phase of the trail ended at 900 West, near the SR-201 Interchange. Users wishing to continue to the Jordan River Parkway Trail needed to navigate a one-mile detour along 900 West and turn west onto 1700 South before accessing the Jordan River Parkway Trail.
The route along 900 West lacks a continuous sidewalk and has narrow shoulders, making it hazardous for both bicycles and pedestrians. Additionally, the intersection at 900 West and 1700 South is not conducive to bicycle traffic and is dangerous for users to navigate.
Salt Lake County commissioned ArcSitio, Perkins Engineering, and K&A to design a direct connection between Parley's Trail and the Jordan River Parkway Trail. The project involved designing a grade-separated crossing over 900 West and a bridge over the Jordan River, with K&A providing all the structural designs.
The project's proximity to existing retaining walls supporting rail lines, the Jordan River (waters of the U.S.), and numerous underground utilities required close coordination with UDOT, UTA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and various utility providers.
The same team was also hired by Salt Lake County to manage the project's construction. Michael Goodman (K&A) acted as the Resident Engineer, utilizing his structural design background to ensure that the construction met the plans and specifications for this UDOT-permitted project.
The final phase of the trail was completed in the fall of 2023, providing the last two crossings necessary for a continuous eight-mile trail system connecting the communities of Salt Lake City, Millcreek, South Salt Lake, and West Valley.
The trail reconnects communities separated by urban development and offers a corridor mostly separated from vehicular traffic for bicycle commuters and recreational riders alike.