Construction on the Salt Lake Valley's first ever east-west trail could start as early as the spring.

The oft-delayed Parleys Creek Corridor Trail project has been plagued with fund-raising problems for more than five years. But after a successful 2006, work will finally begin on one phase of the 8-mile trail that will connect Parleys Canyon to the Jordan River Parkway.

"It's about time we got started," Salt Lake County Councilman Joe Hatch said. "Clearly, we need this trail."

Crews this spring are expected to start building a pedestrian bridge over Interstate 215 that will connect the Bonneville Shoreline Trail to Parleys Historic Nature Park. Construction is expected to be completed by fall, said Bill Farrand, a community planner for the National Park Service.

Recently retired Sen. Karen Hale, D-Salt Lake, is crossing her fingers that construction will actually start. In the past, groundbreaking dates have been postponed.

"We've had a few situations where we've been really excited and something has fallen through," said Hale, who serves as the chairwoman of Parleys Rails Trails and Tunnels Coalition, a nonprofit organization of local leaders and residents pushing for trail construction. "Hopefully this is a go."

If all proceeds according to plan, the trail will branch off from the Bonneville Shoreline Trail near "Suicide Rock" at the mouth of Parleys Canyon. From there, it will basically follow the path of I- 80 through several developed neighborhoods in Sugar House, Salt Lake City and South Salt Lake.

The route will go along arterial streets, a light-rail line, a rail yard and the "spaghetti bowl" interchange of I-80 and I-215 at 2100 South, before heading to the Jordan River.

The trail is expected to cost $20 million, and supporters have raised $13.5 million to date.

The federal government has granted $10.5 million to the project to date, and Salt Lake County leaders recently approved $2.6 million in Zoo, Arts and Parks tax revenue for the project. Salt Lake City also donated matching funds for design work on the project. Private donors have contributed, including REI, the Negley Flinn Charitable Foundation and the Semnani Foundation.

Walt Gillmore, Parleys trail project manager for Salt Lake County, said the $10.5 million in federal dollars must be spent before trail supporters can ask for any more money from the federal government.

"There have been some bumps in the road, but we're very confident at this point," said Juan Arce-Larreta, vice chairman of Parleys Rails Trails and Tunnels Coalition.

Construction will come in phases. Currently, there is only enough money to build to the Sugar House Business District, Farrand said.

The first phase of construction is expected to start with the pedestrian bridge over I-215. Phase two will connect the nature park with Tanner Park. Planners hope to start a design contract this month on that portion of the trail.

Once that is completed, crews will start work to extend the trail to the Sugar House Business District. Farrand said that could happen as soon as 2008. For more information on the trail, visit www.parleystrail.org.

E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com

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