JACKSON, Wyo. — The bike pathway through Russ Garaman Park has reopened to cyclists and walkers, though users should use caution when traveling through the project area.
Pathways Coordinator Brian Schilling told Buckrail in an email that the paving work was completed as of Tuesday afternoon and the pathway was scheduled to reopen to traffic this morning. There are still a few things that must be done before the project is complete, which include coloring and texturing the asphalt.
“When the contractor comes back to do the asphalt texture and color treatment, we will have to close things back down and route people on the detour on South [US89] for one or two days,” Schilling wrote. “This is tentatively scheduled for next week.”
In March, Jackson Town Council approved a contract for Aardvark Excavating to complete multiple safety upgrades on the busy segment of pathway near Crabtree Lane. The project was funded entirely by a private donation from the Garaman family’s charitable foundation.
“In the past several years, e-bikes have become prevalent in our community, which has raised safety concerns about fast paced vehicles on pathways,” reads an April news release from the Town of Jackson. “This project will provide improvements designed to naturally slow traffic down through Garaman Park.”
The safety upgrades include a bicycle roundabout, colored pavement, rumble strips and chicane gate fencing. Chicane gates create an S-turn for cyclists to ride through, ensuring that riders reduce their speed. According to the Jackson Hole News&Guide, parts for the gate elements will likely arrive toward the end of the month.
