An area in Tempe once used to cover an interstate gas pipeline is being converted into a community transportation pathway.
The half-mile path behind residential homes in central Tempe stretches from Rural Road to Kiwanis Park. The wide alley-like space covers an abandoned El Paso Natural Gas line. The city is spending about $1.3 million in mostly federal funds to convert it into a multi-use transportation path. The paved area will include public art, landscaping and lighting.
Eric Iwersen with Tempe Public Works said the path will connect the park, existing bike lanes and main roads.
“Recognizing that we can’t build our streets any bigger and build our way out of transportation dilemmas with just vehicle travel, we have to provide attractive and convenient alternatives," he said. "And so these pathways are a portion of that transportation system that we’re actively building.”
Iwersen said construction will take about six months to complete, starting in March.
