Project Title: Rehabilitate Waysides and Spurs at Rainbow Lake (FFS #R7BE)

State: Alaska

Project Description: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will fund the rehabilitation of the walkway, road, and boat ramp at the Rainbow Lake wayside in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

The Kenai Refuge is the most visited refuge in Alaska, receiving approximately 500,000 visitors each year. Recreation and tourism play an important role in the local economy. The wayside at Rainbow Lake provides public access to hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and other activities. Currently, the walkway is too steep for a person confined to a wheelchair to make the ascent to the restroom. In addition, ice buildup on the steep trail during the winter poses a safety hazard for those walking to the restroom.

Using ARRA funds, the trail will be rerouted along the hillside with a switchback that will make the restroom accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The existing trail will be restored to vegetation using native species. In addition, new gravel will be used to fill potholes and resurface the wayside road and boat ramp.

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Originally posted 10/14/2009