Photos: Beltline’s Eastside Trail is ‘close to completion’ near Memorial Drive
It’s not just politics. Logistically it’s a much larger project than simply pouring concrete for a sidewalk/concrete trail. Land acquisition, complexities of planning in an urban environment w/ future consideration to rail and raising/finding the funds to pay for the project is completely different than building a trail in low density/unspoiled land.
Photos: Beltline’s Eastside Trail is ‘close to completion’ near Memorial Drive
The Beltline isn’t just the Eastside portion. 2.4 miles are complete in the West End, 1.1 miles on the Northside, 1.1 miles on the Southwest Connector and 3.3 miles for the Westside Trail. The Eastside trail is currently 3.1 miles long and about to expand to about 3.3-3.5 miles.
Photos: Beltline’s Eastside Trail is ‘close to completion’ near Memorial Drive
The Beltline is a different animal that’s completely urban in nature. The land for much of the Tucson loop was also in special districts that the state government required flood controls on (especially after the floods in the 80s along the Rillito and Santa Cruz Rivers). You’re going back nearly 35-40 years to see the beginning of the loop you mention. And a great majority of the trails abut a river.