County trail study presents $13M segment estimate and funding options; council hears maintenance, safety concerns

A countywide trail study that would connect towns across Sanpete County and knit into the statewide Utah Trail Network was summarized for the Manti City Council on Sept. 9.

Presenter Keith Sterner said the study was funded with a $750,000 grant to hire consultants and develop feasibility, environmental review and preliminary designs. The study team recommended high-priority segments including Gunnison to Manti, Manti to Ephraim, and Ephraim to Spring City. Sterner noted the Utah Trail Network has adopted the segment and that the network has a dedicated pool of funding; he cited roughly $45,000,000 per year in state trail funding as an available resource over time.

Sterner gave a project example: "the segment from Ephraim to Manti is about $13,000,000 to build," he told the council, and the study estimated a worst-case maintenance burden of about $10,000 per year for the city/county share on that segment. He discussed options for meeting maintenance obligations — grants, nonprofit partners, private sponsorships and pooled local maintenance accounts — and said the Utah Trail Network is willing to be flexible in maintenance arrangements for rural communities.

Council members and residents asked how recreational four-wheelers and side-by-sides would be handled. Sterner said enforcement is a practical concern: "driving a 4 wheeler in the right of way is illegal," he said, but noted enforcement varies and that historical agricultural uses complicate design choices. The presentation closed with a call for continued stakeholder engagement and for cities and counties to study funding and maintenance partnerships if they wish to pursue construction.

The council did not take a vote on project adoption but thanked Sterner and requested staff continue conversations with neighboring towns and county partners about funding and design.