Trail extension to link Archer with shops in Celebration Pointe in Southwest Gainesville

ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE – Published July 13, 2022 4:27 p.m.  |  Updated July 13, 2022 5:52 p.m.

Cyclists and pedestrians will soon be able to travel down a new trail stretching from Archer to Celebration Pointe, county officials say.

Alachua County Public Works has begun construction of the “Shared-Use Nonmotorized” (SUN) Trail along Archer Road from Southwest 75th Terrace to 41st Boulevard. The existing trail will be extended about 2.4 miles under the current plan.

A crew with Alachua County Public Works use a front end loader to clear dig as they construct the new “Shared-Use Nonmotorized” (SUN) Trail along Archer Road near Tower Road in Gainesville FL. July 13, 2022. The project connects a trail from Archer along South Archer Road from from Southwest 75th Terrace to 41st Boulevard. Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun

“It is an extension of the existing trail coming from Archer,” said Brian Kauffman, Alachua County’s assistant public works director. “As the state encourages non-motorized uses throughout the state, this was a section we got grant money for to extend that section.”

The 10-foot-wide asphalt path extension will be used for walking, biking, and other non-motorized uses. It will allow bicyclists to travel about 11 miles from Archer to Celebration Pointe’s stores and restaurants.

Onyx Site Services is the county’s contractor for the project.

The Florida Department of Transportation is funding $1.18 million for the extension as part of its SUN Trail network.  Construction is set to begin this month and is expected to reach completion in December.

A crew with Alachua County Public Works continues construction on the new “Shared-Use Non-motorized” (SUN) Trail along Archer Road near Tower Road in Gainesville on July 13, 2022. The project connects a trail from Archer along South Archer Road from Southwest 75th Terrace to 41st Boulevard. Brad McClenney/The Gainesville Sun

“The county is very grateful for this funding from FDOT’s SUN Trail program,” said Alachua County Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete. “This facility will be a great addition to this trail and provide enhanced recreation and transportation opportunities to our residents.”

DOT’s plans call for the path to extend from Celebration Pointe to the University of Florida campus, said James Link, the county engineer for the project.

And once the trail is on campus, there, cyclists or bikers could easily continue onto the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail, he said.

Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail stretches 16 miles from the city of Gainesville’s Boulware Springs Park through the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and other local and state conservation lands.