Welcome to the Flint River Trail Online!!!
Background of the Flint River Trail
This project began as part of the Great River Gateway Vision Iowa project, which is providing funding for improvements to Burlington and Des Moines County community and tourism attractions including Big Hollow Recreation Area, Burlington Public Library, Des Moines County Historical Society, Memorial Auditorium, and the Flint River Trail. The City of Burlington and Des Moines County have been working cooperatively to complete all of these projects, including the Flint River Trail, which will be the first significant multi-mile trail planned in Southeast Iowa.
The planneded trail is approximately 20 miles and will extend between downtown Burlington to Big Hollow Creek Recreation Area in northern Des Moines County. Once completed, the trail will connect the Mississippi River Trail, downtown Burlington, the Port of Burlington, Riverside Park, Starr's Cave Park & Preserve, Thye Woods Habitat Preserve, Historic Zion School, and Big Hollow Recreation Area through the Flint River Valley. The trail will be primarily separated from roadways for safety and enjoyment of the users.
Funding of the Flint River Trail
The cost to complete the 20 mile Flint River Trail is expected to be near $6.45 million dollars. To date, 40% of the funds have been secured by Des Moines County, the City of Burlington, and through various state and federal grants as seen below. To complete the trail more grant funding will be needed, as well as local support from the community. A goal has been set to raise $645,000 in local funding from the community. If you would like to help us reach this goal, please visit our DONATION page.
■ City of Burlington - $150,000
■ Des Moines County - $379,000
■ Vision Iowa - $521,000
■ Regional Enhancements - $268,000
■ Regional Enhancements - $160,000 (Pending Approval)
■ State Recreational Trails - $360,000
■ Federal Recreational Trails - $220,000
■ REAP - $150,000
■ LAWCON - $17,000
■ Des Moines County - $379,000 (Over FY2009 - FY2011)
■ Total - $2,604,000
Timeline for completion of the Flint River Trail
The schedule of work will be as follows:
■ 2008 - Complete easement negotiations and environmental reviews
■ 2008 - Begin final design for Phase I of County Portion(Hwy 99 to Hwy 61, 6 miles)
■ 2008 - Begin final design for Phase IV of City Portion (Hwy 99 to Flint Creek Bridge)
■ 2008 - Begin final design for Phase I of City Portion (Port of Burlington to Levee)
■ 2009 - Let bids for Phase I of County Portion
■ 2009 - Let bids for Phase IV and Phase I of City Portion
■ 2009 - Begin construction on Phase I of County Portion
■ 2009 - Begin/Complete Construction on Phase IV and Phase I of City Portion
■ 2009 - Complete Final Design for Phase II and III of County Portion
■ 2009 - Complete final design for Phase II of City Portion (Flint River Rail Bridge to Levee)
■ 2010 - Complete construction on Phase I of County Portion
■ 2010 - Let bids Phase II of City Portion
■ 2010 - Let bids for Phase III of County Portion ( Big Hollow to 145th Ave, 6.2 miles)
■ 2010 - Begin/Complete Construction of Phase II of City Portion
■ 2010 - Begin construction on Phase III of County Portion
■ 2010 - Complete final design for Phase III of City Portion
■ 2011 - Complete construction on Phase III of County Portion
■ 2011 - Let bids Phase III of City Portion
■ 2011 - Let bids for Phase II of County Portion(145th Ave/Prairie Grove Rd to Lower Flint Rd,1.2 miles)
■ 2011 - Begin/Complete Construction on Phase III of City Portion
■ 2011 - Begin construction on Phase II of County Portion
■ 2012 - Complete Construction on Phase II of County Portion
■ 2012 - Connect Big Hollow to Port of Burlington
Flint River Trail Brochure Map of Flint River Trail Pictures of Flint River Trail 
