Pedestrians show city trail link need

Construction has begun on Grapevine's newest trail project, Links Trail, and it is intended to serve as the key linkage for hikers and bikers to connect with the various trails in the city as well as shopping centers, businesses and hotels.

Jim Waldbauer, a civil engineer with BW2 Engineers Inc., which is heading the trail construction, said there was already a path made by pedestrians before work had started. He said the trail is a necessary piece to Grapevine connectivity and will serve tourists as well as commuters.

The 1.4-mile trail will be managed by the Texas Department of Transportation but once complete, the city of Grapevine will inherit management of the trail.

The trail will guide travelers northeast from Ruth Wall Road to the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, past the Hilton Hotel and at Grapevine Mills.

"If you just look at the employment area, there are a lot of people who commute to [the Grapevine Mills area], and now [commuters will be] able to do that by walking or biking," Waldbauer said. "It's going to be a huge plus."

There will be one trailhead along Links Trail at the corner of Fairway Drive and SH 26 that will serve as a resting stop along the path and will include drinking fountains and bike racks.

"You have a lot of people who bring their bikes when they're staying at the hotels, and this gives them a great way to link to the city from their hotels," he said. "It's a really well-deserved and needed trail," Waldbauer said.

As the project continues, Waldbauer said there should be minimal impact to traffic along SH 26, which might periodically have one lane closed to work on the trail.