Bike Hays one step closer to reality after commission vote

By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

The idea of creating a system of bike lanes in Hays has been in the works for more than 20 years. And, after years of planning and fighting through red tape, the plan is coming closer to a reality after Hays city commissioners awarded contracts and committed funds for the project at their Tuesday meeting.

Bike Hays will create approximately 20.5 miles of bike lanes within the city of Hays. After construction is complete, the city of Hays will have 18 miles of street lanes along with a 2.5-mile levy path. Commissioners awarded a $346,000 contract to APAC Kansas-Shears Division for the street lanes and $495,000 to Bryant & Bryant for a concrete levee path near Frontier Park on the south side of the city. Both contracts include both inspection and construction. Sixty percent of the costs will come from a Kansas Department of Transportation Transportation Enhancement grant, and the city will be responsible for the remaining 40 percent, approximately $490,000. The city’s match will be paid out of the special parks and stormwater fund.

According to contract stipulations, construction on both projects must begin between March and July 1. Contractors have 55 days to complete the on-street lanes and 50 days to complete the levee path. The levee path also will serve as a path around the city and as a way to protect the city in the case of a flood.

“When we look at the future and the cost of energy and gasoline, I think the day is not that far off when more and more people will be using bicycles for transportation purposes and not just recreation,” said Commissioner Kent Steward.

Steward also added that the lanes will provide more safety on the streets due to the fact that more people ride bikes on the streets. The lanes will be marked with signage throughout the routes along with 14 different on-street designs.

According to Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno, other lanes could be included if the need presents itself by using more money from the special parks fund.

“I think this project is tremendously important,” said Mayor Henry Schwaller. “Overall, it makes the city more liveable and a better place to be due to the fact that it’s very difficult to ride a bicycle in the city of Hays right now.”