Highline Canal Bikepath

On March 27, 2010, the City of Phoenix dedicated the beautification of the canal from 10th St (just w/o Circle-K Park) to 40th St (where it intersects Baseline Rd). Altho planned for many years, actual construction began in summer of 2009. An archway has been constructed at 40th St. Huge rocks have been delivered, bridges are being built at the park, the arroyo is terraced and will catch silt. Sections of the path were closed temporarily as the construction progressed from west to east. The design and resurfacing will eliminate just about all the problems known, except 7th and 24th St. automobile bridges are not being widened. Those are a safety hazard to cyclists.

The photos here and the videos on YouTube were significant factors in showing the importance of this project. Many of the problems listed here were fixed in this project. Well done, Phoenix!

Problems with the path included:
1. Flooded section adjacent to Circle-K Park [fixed].
2. Approaches to 32nd St unpaved [fixed]. No STOP signs for bicyclists there, either.
3. 25 years of deterioration with only marginal patching. Improved. Effects of seasonal expansion and contraction to be determined vis-a-vis patching of the cracks.
4. 7th St. bridge across Highline Canal is just two lanes wide. The Bike lane that runs all the way from downtown Phoenix has to stop before the canal bridge. This is unfortunate since bicycle commuters turn east onto the bike path at this intersection.

Five videos of the path are available on YouTube.com. Search for userid geneous42, then select Highline Canal videos.