After many months of meetings and studies, the MoPac East Connector Trail Study Group has recommended alignment D. The alignment every cyclist I talked to wanted, if we couldn’t have C, was the CD hybrid. It wasn’t listed as a choice on the comment form, and you had to write it in. I think if it had been included it would have had a real chance. The NRD board will have a public meeting before voting this Wednesday, October 30, so you still have an opportunity to express your views. At the meetings I attended, the emphasis was always on the local landowners rather than on the trail user’s experience. To the extent that at the last public meeting, trail users were “other” on the sign in sheet.
If there had been a greater emphasis on trail users Alignment C or the hybrid CD would have been chosen, as the segment of 322 between Church and Mynard roads is the most scenic. The route consolation prize is another mile of rail trail as it is extended a mile east on the old MoPac rail bed.
The remaining votes are the following:
