The 1.7-mile Fossil Creek Trail extension provides an important east/west trail connection in south Fort Collins and expands the multimodal trail system to include more than 36 miles of paved trail. The new trail extends from College Avenue to Shields Street, extending through the Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area.
A unique and challenging component of the Fossil Creek Trail extension was the railway underpass beneath the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway. Special construction techniques were required to tunnel under the railroad while maintaining a live connection for the railroad to operate. Boring was done with a small excavator, then small sections of 14’ diameter pipe were pushed and welded into place, until the tunneling operation was complete. Sensors on the railroad track indicated if the tracks subsided and were out of compliance with railroad standards. Seating areas, a bike fixit station, and the Fossil Creek Sphere, an art piece developed by a local artist, great visitors near the tunnel entrance.
A key objective of the project was to provide a safe, detached trail corridor from adjacent streets and minimize alignment of the trail near residents. This approach required diligent negotiations with residents to acquire necessary property acquisitions and easements.
As the trail turns north parallel to Shields Street, sandstone retaining walls were constructed to enable a detached trail environment adjacent to Shields Street and provide a safe and navigable paved trail environment that connects with the Long View trail.
Office: City of Fort Collins Park Planning & Development
Client: Residents of Fort Collins
Contributions: Project director, community outreach
