Bridge to the future
Former train trestle could be restored for use as trail
An old unused train trestle across the Spokane River could soon become a permanent addition to Spokane’s system of walking and biking trails and provide a key link between the city’s emerging University District and the commercial and residential areas along East Trent Avenue.
The Spokane City Council this week has been asked to approve a resolution authorizing a $530,000 grant with the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program to pay for about half of the $1.1 million restoration project.
The trestle, known as Iron Bridge, needs to be cleaned, partially repainted and have a trail deck installed in order to convert it to trail use. It is located north of Trent Avenue where Trent crosses the Spokane River, east of Hamilton Street.
It was formerly used by the Union Pacific Railroad until 1973, when the UP gave up its tracks through Riverfront Park to make way for Expo ’74.
The developer of Iron Bridge office park on the east side of the bridge has been working with the city on efforts to restore and reopen the trestle but needs additional funding to make the project feasible.
City Councilman Al French said he is supporting the funding for the project “because it is an amenity over the river” that will become a public asset that helps draw development eastward from the downtown area. The Iron Bridge crossing would be linked to the Centennial Trail along the river east of Gonzaga University.
City planners have said the bridge is an important link for trail users and that employers are finding that the Centennial Trail and its spur routes are well-used by workers. It is expected to be included in the city’s updated master bicycle plan.
Earlier this year, the developer of the Iron Bridge office park said he has retained national nonprofit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to seek grants, after the city agreed to act as applicant.
A study commissioned by Iron Bridge indicated the trestle has only minor rust problems, but its old coating of lead-based paint would have to be stripped about halfway up the sides of the iron girders.
The city also has worked with Iron Bridge by establishing a special tax district at the office park to help pay for public improvements for the park.