Construction on the Moapa Valley Trail Phase 1 project began on Monday along Whipple Ave. in Logandale.

The project is meant to create a trails network which connects Grant Bowler Elementary School and the adjacent fairgrounds complex to the Moapa Valley High School via a system of trails. An asphalt pedestrian/biking trail, 5-8 feet in width, will be built along several streets in the area including Whipple Ave. from Moapa Valley Blvd to Heyer Street; Lyman and Heyer Streets from Whipple to Gubler; Frehner Ave. from Lyman to Heyer; Gubler Ave. from Lyman to St. Joseph St.; and St. Joseph from Gubler Ave. to Wittwer Ave.

Included in the project will be a gravel ATV-dedicated trail located along the north side of Whipple Ave. The project will also feature several park benches as rest areas located at various spots along the trail system.

The project is expected to be completed this summmer, by around July 20.

The project will involve two road closures in the area. One will be a five day closure on Whipple Ave. between the alignment of Paiute and Berkley. The other will be an eight day closure of Lyman Street roughly between Frehner and Neal. Those closures are expected to take place in the middle part of June, after area schools are out for summer vacation.

The bid for construction on the project was awarded to Mel Clark, Inc. for $928,000. The project is paid for by funds from the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA).