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Chapter 04 � Master Plan <br />Trail Segement Plans <br />OVERVIEW <br />For purposes of this plan, the Great Northern <br />Trail corridor has been divided into seven <br />planning segments, listed below, for ease of <br />describing and discussing the unique resources <br />and features along that portion of the trail. The <br />seven planning segments are defined as the <br />following: <br />Segment 1: Zimmerman to 273rd Ave <br />Segment 2: 273rd Ave to 293rd Ave (County Road 9) <br />Segment 3: 293rd Ave (County Road 9) to South Princeton <br />Segment 4: City of Princeton <br />Segment 5: North Princeton to 70th St <br />Segment 6: 70th St to City of Pease <br />Segment 7: City of Pease to City of Milaca <br />Multiple route alternates for each segment were <br />vetted through community engagement. As <br />many as five different alignments were studied <br />for each segment and a summary of these can <br />be found in the appendix. An overview of the 7 <br />planning segments is illustrated on the next page, <br />with corresponding segment maps following each <br />detailed segment summary. Generally, the "A" <br />segments are the preferred routes that follow the <br />existing rail bed, and "B" segments are options <br />that utilize publicly owned right of way. <br />There are currently 13 gaps in public ownership <br />along the historic rail alignment. Some of the <br />property owners have built structures on or near <br />the rail bed that create significant barriers to <br />trail development. Private property ownership <br />and natural resource management will continue <br />to evolve after the master plan is completed <br />and implementing agencies should continue to <br />improve the alignment as issues arise or change <br />over time. Opportunities to reduce potential <br />conflicts with landowners should be taken into <br />consideration and pursued. <br />A PHASED APPROACH <br />The development of this trail has a history that <br />extends back to the early 2000s. Several factors <br />contributed to the delay in trail development, <br />including private property owners unwilling to <br />sell easements for the trail. Most of the gaps <br />in public ownership occur in the southern half <br />of the alignment, between Zimmerman and <br />Princeton, or segments 1-3. As stated earlier in <br />the plan, the public agencies implementing the <br />trail made a commitment that eminent domain <br />would not be used, and the long-term vision is <br />to acquire these properties as they come onto <br />the market. The master plan is recommending a <br />phased approach that connects the trail corridor <br />through existing right away along Hwy 45 in the <br />short term, with a long vision of developing the <br />trail along the historic rail corridor. <br />ACCESSIBILITY <br />All components of the trail, including the <br />trailheads, will meet current accessibility <br />standards issued under the Americans with <br />Disabilities Act (ADA). The corridor is relatively flat <br />and there are no significant grade changes that <br />will require slope flattening or ramping. <br />IMPROVED TRAIL CROSSINGS <br />Rapid flashing beacons are proposed at all major <br />roaway crossing, as shown in the segement plans. <br />A grade-separated crossing should be studied <br />at State Highway 23; and at a minimum rapid <br />flashing beacons should be installed. <br />�� <br />;. � ., - <br />.- - <br />.,: : <br />RECEDENT PHOTO: RAPID FLASHING BE S; <br />48 Great Northern Trail Master Plan � August 2022 <br />