Although Ohio University students take to the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway for recreation, some Athens County residents depend on the path for daily transportation.
In light of commuter plight, the city of Athens is beginning a $1 million project to create a bike path along Columbus Road.
City officials intend to finish construction in late 2014, said Jessica Adine, project manager with the Athens Department of Engineering and Public Works.
The Ohio Department of Transportation will provide funds for about 80 percent of the $1 million project, Adine said, adding that the city intends to apply for a grant with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to account for the remaining 20 percent.
The bike path — about 2,000 feet in length and 12 feet in width — will include a connection to the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, likely across the Hocking River, to accelerate commuter traffic into the city, said Councilwoman Chris Knisely, D-at large.
In a grant application, Director of Engineering and Public Works Andy Stone wrote that he hopes the link will turn the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway from “being only a recreational asset into a true transportation asset.”
Knisely said she expects many county residents to use the bike path for their daily commutes.
“I see a fair amount of people walking and bicycle-riding on Columbus Road and I know there is even one individual who walks into town from Amesville,” Knisely said. “I think it will get good use.”
Given the hilly terrain around Columbus Road, Athens Bicycle owner Peter Kotses said the new path’s bikeway likely would encourage residents who would normally avoid the hill to cycle into Athens.
“Columbus Road is just one of those corners of town that is locked off because you have to go over the hill,” Kotses said. “Offering that bike path and infrastructure, it gets people to think that this is something they can do.”
Koses said there is also a business incentive for the city to build the bike path.
“With the town growing at a small rate…we run out of places for businesses to be,” he said. “I think this is one of the ways to get people to that part of town.”
sh335311@ohiou.edu
