Nolan Creek Hike & Bike Trail, Phases I-V

Project Description: This is the signature trail in Belton’s trail system. It travels from Liberty Park to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s campus. It is currently 1.26 miles long, with plans to extend. This trail includes 10 educational stations and also travels through Harris Community Park, Yettie Polk Park, and Liberty Park. KPA Engineers had the honor of working with the City of Belton and TxDOT throughout Phases I-V of this project and are proud to bring the community more pedestrian-safe accessibility throughout the Belton area.

The original Nolan Creek Hike & Bike Trail (Phase I) was opened in June 2006 and spanned 1.11 miles long. The trail provides access for kayakers and quickly grew in popularity, even receiving the 2006 Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Award. The Hike & Bike Trail project consisted of 7,500’ of a 10’ concrete hike and bike trail, seven pocket parks, and 500’ of retaining wall lined with limestone rock.

Phase II of the trail features a 70-foot pony truss bridge that connects Harris Community Park to UMHB. This replaced the Burton’s Crossing low water bridge, which has improved drainage and safety on Nolan Creek. This project also featured concrete trails, trail lighting, a major retaining wall with a stone facade, storm drainage pipe with associated drainage box structures, steel truss bridge spans, SWPPP installations, trail signage, pedestrian barrier railings, rock excavation, and major right-of-way preparation.

Phase III included the MLK Bridge Project, which incorporated 5-foot-wide sidewalks along both sides of the roadway and a bridge that allows connectivity to Phases I and II of the trail and the Nolan Creek Nature Trail Park.

Phase IV consists of an 8-foot-wide sidewalk along University Drive before transitioning into a 10-foot trail going west on Crusader Way to Loop 121. This phase also included a 10-foot trail adjacent to Sparta Road between Loop 1021 and Tiger Drive at Sparta Elementary, allowing for safer accessibility for students.

Phase V of the Trail begins at Holland Road near IH-35 and connects Phase I through Liberty Park. This 12-foot-wide trail meets all ADA requirements and serves as a vital connection linking South and Central Belton.

Sixteen years and multiple phases later, the 5.17-mile trail is complete and has enhanced recreational opportunities, and has reintroduced the community to the various aspects of Belton’s history.

Scope of Services: Throughout the phases of this project, KPA has provided Preliminary Planning and Design, Final Design, Construction Survey’s,  Environmental Clearances, FEMA CLOMRs, LOMR studies with approvals, Contract Documents, Bid Phase Services, Construction Administration, Boundary Surveying for right-of-way procurement, Project Management, Coordination with TxDOT District 9, and Reporting to City Staff.