MANSFIELD — While local officials cheered and cut a red ribbon, Ruthie Good and a friend stood at the back of the crowd, waiting for the real fun to begin.
Sunlight bounced off their helmets and neon athletic wear as they leaned on their bikes, ready to whiz through the tunnel and down the path.
Community members gathered at the tunnel under Trimble Road Friday afternoon to celebrate the completion of a $3.3 million plan.
The project included the tunnel and 1.1 mile connector path linking the B&O Bike Trail to the sidewalk along Trimble Road. The path connects to the bike trail near the intersection of Marion Avenue and Home Road.
“We’ve been waiting impatiently,” said Good, who bikes about 22 miles once or twice a week.
She wasn’t the only one.
“Judging by the size of this crowd, I think we made a good investment,” county commissioner Cliff Mears said during a brief address, prompting applause.
Local officials repeatedly highlighted the role of collaboration in the project.
“One of the great things about this project were all of the people who were involved in it,” said Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry.
“If it was just up to the city of Mansfield general fund, we would not be standing here,” Perry said. “It’s really instrumental that we get funding from a lot of different sources on these projects.”
Both the $2.1 million connector trail and $1.2 million tunnel were paid for using a mix of federal, state and local funds, including about $1.45 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
The Richland County Foundation contributed $200,000 to the tunnel project.
State Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) and State Rep. Marilyn John (R-Shelby) helped advocate for funds from the state’s capital budget.
“People ask why invest in parks and trails? Think about when you visit a community, what attracts you to those communities? Often it is parks and trails,” John said. “Being part of this was easy for me.”
“I see these little ones up on the hill,” she added. “Someday, they’re going to be having families, and they’re going to grow up in a great place and they’re going to want to bring their children to this trail.
“This is a legacy. This is why we do what we do. And I’m so proud to be a part of it with all of you.”
In addition to recognizing the people and entities who helped fund, design and build the trail, Perry thanked her predecessor Tim Theaker and former Mansfield public works and safety service director Dave Remy — the city’s top officials at the project’s inception.
City engineer Bob Bianchi first pitched the idea of a connector trail between the B&O Bike Trail and Trimble Road during a city council meeting in 2018.
The connector path was designed by McCartney & Associates. Construction contracts for the trail and the tunnel were both awarded to the Adena Corp. of Mansfield in a bidding process. The tunnel will be lit at night and is equipped with security cameras.
The 10-foot wide concrete trail winds through land owned by the Western Land Conservancy and OhioHealth. Both entities supported the project and entered into agreements to allow the city to construct the trail on their property.
Now that the connector is complete, the Richland County Park District, which operates the B&O Trail, will take over its maintenance.
The Richland B&O Trail spans 18 miles and connects four of Richland County’s communities on its trek between North Lake Park in downtown Mansfield to the Village of Butler.
Friday’s ribbon cutting comes less than a month after the completion of a new concrete path on the south side of Millsboro Road between Trimble Road and Marion Avenue, effectively connecting the B&O Trail to the Mansfield Art Center.
Louis Andres, the city of Mansfield’s public works director, called the project a powerful symbol of progress, connection and community.
Funding for the B&O Connector Trail
The $2.1 million connector trail project, including design contracts, inspection and required wetlands mitigation, was funded by:
— $900,000 in federal money through Richland County Regional Planning;
— $500,000 from the City of Mansfield’s American Rescue Plan Act funds;
— $450,000 from the Richland County Board of Commissioners through a jail services contract waiver;
— $150,000 from the state capital budget;
— $150,000 from the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources.
Funding for the Trimble Road tunnel
The $1.3 million tunnel project under Trimble Road was funded by:
— $700,000 from Richland County American Rescue Plan Act through county commissioners;
— $250,000 from the city’s ARPA;
— $200,000 from the Richland County Foundation;
— $91,123 from the city’s permissive sales tax;
— $61,597 from the city sewer fund;
— $67,915 from the city water fund.