POCATELLO — The Portneuf Greenway Foundation announced this week that it has applied for grant money to pave segments totaling 5 miles of a recreational path planned to eventually link South Pocatello with the future Northgate development in the city’s northeast corner.

The city has authorized the Portneuf Greenway Foundation to apply for a grant to the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation in the amount of $250,000.

If awarded, the foundation will use the funds to construct three sections of paved trail systems that extend from Fort Hall Mine Road near the Portneuf Gap to Pocatello Creek Road and connect several existing trails. Construction of the three trail sections is expected to begin this summer.

“Ultimately, our goal is to connect South Pocatello to the Wellness Complex and then to the Northgate development project along what we call the Interstate 15 corridor,” said Rory Erchul, president of the Portneuf Greenway Foundation Board of Directors. “These three sections are integral pieces to make that entire connection come to fruition.”

The first section of paved trail system would extend from Fort Hall Mine Road in south Pocatello to the Kirkham/AMI Trailhead on South Second Avenue near the South Valley Connector. Erchul said this section of trail would run in between Interstate 15 and the railroad tracks and is about 3.5 miles long.

This section of trail would connect to existing sections — both the Red Hill trail and the Shady Side trail — which run from the Kirkham/AMI Trailhead to East Terry Street.

Secondly, grant funding would allow the foundation to build a trail system from East Terry Street near the upper campus of Idaho State University to the north entrance of the Portneuf Medical Center on Hospital Way, close to where it intersects with East Center Street.

Erchul said this section of trail is approximately a mile long, adding that the foundation is still in the process of determining how this section would extend from PMC to the existing trail that runs from the Farm Bureau Insurance building to the Monte Vista Overpass along Interstate 15 that was completed last year.

The last section of proposed greenway trail would run from the Monte Vista Overpass to Pocatello Creek Road. Eventually, more trail will connect Pocatello Creek Road to the Northgate development project, Erchul said.

In total, this additional 5 miles of paved trail system would bring the total mileage of the Portneuf Greenway to 20 miles.

“When you look at the overall map, with these three pieces, one person could go from essentially Inkom all the way to Pocatello Creek Road on trails that are all interconnected,” Erchul said. “There are some situations where you have to use an actual street or sidewalk, but this will be a continuous section linking south and north Pocatello.”

Though the foundation is largely responsible for creating this sprawling system of trails throughout the Gate City area, Erchul said the foundation couldn’t have been as successful as it has been without the support of governmental entities and the entire community.

“We’ve seen a lot of progress and trail built in the last five years,” Erchul said. “Our current board, both the cities of Chubbuck and Pocatello as well as the general public at large, are very much behind our efforts and driving our projects. The Greenway Foundation has proven we can plan, raise money and execute on the overall mission of the greenway, with only volunteers, and we’re proud of that.”

Portneuf Greenway Foundation Board member Dan Harelson added, “We are very pleased with the positive working relationship we have with the city of Pocatello and the property owners who are allowing this project to move forward. The greenway and the city each bring something to the table with this application and the whole community benefits as a result.”

Erchul said that the overall mission of the foundation is to create a network of bicycle and pedestrian trails throughout the greater Pocatello area to enhance the quality of life for residents by establishing and improving the Portneuf Greenway as a community resource.

“A greenway trail system or greenbelt are integral to the growth of a city,” Erchul said. “It’s a quality of life factor. Not only does it provide pedestrians a safe place to walk, bike or rollerblade, but it is also an alternative means to get from one point to another safely. It’s also important for visitors and guests coming to the community and looking for something to get them out of their hotel or the place they are staying.”

Erchul added, “This is also a huge economic driver. This is good for the economy of the community because with the proposed growth of the area people who are looking to move here are going to look for amenities like the Portneuf Greenway trail system. If we build it, they will come.”