The Historic Water Ditch Trail project has reached a major milestone with the completion of phase one of the project that runs through South Tacoma.

Phase I construction included rebuilding approximately 2 miles of the historic trail to a Class 1 bike path with 14-feet-wide asphalt and rock shoulders. The trail segment between South 47th to South 56th streets included lighting through the park area. In the segment between South 60th to South 72nd streets the work included the reconstruction of several intersections. The new trail segments now have curb ramps and crossings that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The design work for Phase II has already begun and the City will be seeking grant funds this year to complete the construction phase.

Originally part of a 110-year-old trail system that crossed Tacoma and extended to Mt. Rainier, remnants of the historic 1896 Water Ditch Trail “spine” are still used today. As more funding becomes available, the remaining project phases will restore the entire 6.5-mile trail, which will provide the only trail linking South Tacoma with the downtown, Tacoma Dome area and the Thea Foss Waterway.

For more information about the trail, visit http://www.cityoftacoma.org/waterditchtrail .