Provo outlines River Trail widening and a six-month Columbia Lane bridge closure

John Bunderson, the cityorestry/parks planning and project manager, briefed the Northwest District board on planned Provo River Trail improvements stretching from the north end of Exchange Park to University Parkway. The project will widen the existing trail, upgrade undercrossings at State Street and Columbia Lane to about 14 feet of clear path, straighten jogs that create blind corners and extend lighting similar to recently improved sections north of University Parkway.

Bunderson said the work must occur in the river channel during the winter months under permitting requirements; property-acquisition delays pushed construction to the following fall and winter. To coordinate upsizing of sewer and water lines with Public Works, the Columbia Lane bridge will need to close for an estimated six-month window while the contractor stages a detour to reconnect trail users. Bunderson said the contractor will maintain detours and that emergency-services access will be preserved during construction.

Residents pressed for specifics about where the trail widening will encroach. Bunderson said at the State Street undercrossing the widened surface will extend about nine feet into the river channel; at Columbia Lane the team plans to build on the exterior of the bridge abutment, extending the trail about 8.5 feet into the roadway approach rather than toward the river. He also described a new pedestrian bridge alignment by the Macy
nd past the U-Haul property where the trail will move to the east side of the river in a section that lacks room to widen on the existing alignment.

The project team said they have coordinated property acquisitions with nearby owners (including Walgreens and Utah Transit/parking authority parcels) to minimize operational impacts; they asked neighbors to expect increased maintenance access and occasional temporary restrictions. The board noted that most of the project funding is from a voter-approved local tax measure the city passed about a decade ago and recently renewed.

Next steps: Bunderson provided contact information for questions and said the city will publish more detailed schedules as property acquisitions and contractor procurement progress. Residents were encouraged to follow posted detour plans and outreach materials when the closure dates are finalized.