Ruby Jack Trail, Phase 4 & 5, Federal Aid Project #RTP 2016-12

The Ruby Jack Trail is part of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy program where abandoned railbeds are converted to trails. This surface is rough and did not create a good environment for bike and pedestrian use. Phase 4 involved resurfacing a significant amount of railbeds into usable trail between Carthage, MO and Oronogo, MO. In Phase 5 development, three old railroad bridges were structurally adequate for pedestrian use but not bike safety.

Allgeier Martin (AMA) volunteered time and resources to help secure an RTP trail grant for resurfacing the trail with a fine graded aggregate surface. The services included preparing environmental documents, developing plans, specifications and bid documents, bidding services and inspection.

AMA designed retrofits to the bridge structures to repurpose for bike and pedestrian use. The work consisted of coordinating work events and volunteers. The Joplin Trails Coalition provided materials, while Pittsburg State University and local service groups provided labor and equipment to rehabilitate the structures. All three structures were completed with a new deck and safety railing in 2018.