New Clear Creek Trail section goes under I-80, I-380 to connect Coralville and Tiffin

CORALVILLE — The Iowa Department of Transportation recently finished two new sections of Clear Creek Trail under interstates 80 and 380, connecting cyclists to recreation areas in Coralville and Tiffin.

It’s only a quarter-mile of concrete, but the new sections are a vital part of a trail system that eventually will go from Iowa City to F.W. Kent Park, west of Tiffin, said Coralville City Engineer Scott Larson.

“One of the early goals of the Clear Creek Trail network was to provide a separate pedestrian trail path so they didn’t have to interact with vehicular traffic,” Larson said. “It’s a great addition to not only Coralville’s trail system, but the Johnson County metro area trail system. It provides a great recreational opportunities and commuting options as well.”

Coralville in 2019 finished Clear Creek Trail phase 7, which goes between the interstates and crosses the creek on a new bridge. But that stretch of trail couldn’t be accessed until recently when the Iowa DOT completed sections that go directly under I-80 and I-380. Those sections were held off until construction on remaking the I-80/I-380 vehicle interchange was nearing completion.

The Iowa DOT completed its portion of the work, for a cost of $186,720, last week by grading the shoulder so there isn’t a drop off on the sides of the paved trail. As soon as the trail barricades came down last week, cyclists, joggers and people walking dogs were out on the path.

"It’s a great connection between Iowa City, Coralville and Tiffin without getting on busy roads,“ said Edie Thomas, 70, of Iowa City. ”I’m sure I will bike it regularly.“

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The Clear Creek Trail is 6.3 miles through Coralville, winding along its namesake creek through wooded areas and south of Coral Ridge Mall. It runs parallel to Coralville’s mountain biking trails and a skills area of raised wooden obstacles. Also nearby is the Creekside Cross & Flow Trails for cyclocross biking, trail running and cross-country skiing.

The Tom Harkin Trailhead, off Camp Cardinal Boulevard, has parking, restrooms, drinking fountain, ramp for small boats and a bike fix-it station.

Coralville earlier this year completed a three-tenths of a mile stretch of paved trail from the trailhead north along Camp Cardinal to Highway 6, also known as the Coralville Strip. This connection, which cost $791,000, was important because it gets pedestrians and cyclists from trails along Highway 6 to the Clear Creek Trail, Larson said.

“It was short, but important,” he said.

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The Clear Creek Trail continues west of Tiffin to Half Moon Avenue. Johnson County has plans in coming years to extend the trail to F.W. Kent Park, a 1,052-acre county park with a beach, camping, playground and crushed gravel walking trail, among other amenities.

The county had planned for the paved trail to follow the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, but archaeological studies revealed some Native American sites, said Brad Friedhof, conservation program manager for Johnson County.

“Our board decided it would be easier to choose a different route,” he said.

The new Clear Creek Trail route will go north along Half Moon Avenue and then on the south side of Highway 6 until the county builds an underpass under Highway 6 near the park. The project, which is slightly longer than the previous route, likely will take until 2027, Friedhof said.

Comments: (319) 339-3157; erin.jordan@thegazette.com