Trail Section Being Moved

9/28/11 Ohio Bikeways

From the NewarkAdvocate.com, "The T.J. Evans bike path will be moved away from Cherry Valley Road, about 100 feet to the west, to allow for a driveway into two potential developments.

"...The driveway across the bike path to the properties is near a parking area adjacent to the path, across Cherry Valley Road from Weston Road. The driveway could become a dedicated road, Layman said.

"The public road will ultimately cross the bike path, but it's a driveway for now," Layman said. "The solution is to move the bike path 100 feet away from Cherry Valley Road."

"The two property owners have agreed to give a sliver of their land to the Evans Foundation to allow for moving the path, possibly later this year."

Ohio 16 Construction Begins Sept. 6

9/1/11 Ohio Bikeways

From the NewarkAdvocate.com, "...Work is scheduled to begin Sept. 6 [in Newark] to extend the westbound ramp to Cedar Street, install signals on Cedar Street ramps and replace the deck on structures over Cedar Street, the Ohio Central Rail/Bike Trail and the North Fork Licking River.

"...The exit ramp from Ohio 16 west to Cedar Street will be closed for 10 days with traffic being detoured to O'Bannon Avenue and East Main Street. The bike trail also will be closed during the replacement of the deck over it, with traffic being detoured to Everett Avenue, O'Bannon Avenue and East Main Street."

Bridge Reopened

8/29/11 Ohio Bikeways

A representative of the Evans Foundation reports that the trail bridge that had been closed between Granville and Newark has been reopened.

The bridge has been redecked and the structure has been repainted as well.

Poor weather this past spring and a bad lot of decking lumber were among a series of setbacks that delayed the rehab project.

Trail Bridge Closed

7/10/11 by Amy P.

Last time I rode the trail in June 2011 the railroad trestle bridge in Newark near Reddington Road/ Cherry Valley Road was blocked off and non-accessible due to safety issues. This leaves no convenient access to many miles the trail into Newark from Ganville.

Anyone know what the current status of this is and when/if this might be repaired?

Newark Bike Lanes Cause Confusion

6/19/11 by Ohio Bikeways

Newark is working to connect their trails on the east and west side by adding bike lanes along city streets.

The NewarkAdvocate.com reports, "...Drivers entering downtown Newark on Fourth Street found a new traffic configuration Thursday morning after the city added 6-foot-wide bicycle lanes on both sides of the newly-paved road and eliminated a southbound travel lane. Southbound drivers heading straight on Fourth Street must veer to the right or risk a head-on collision.

"The changes are part of a planned connection of bike paths east and west of downtown, from the East Main Street Bridge to the Licking County Family YMCA. Bike lanes also have been added on East Main in front on the Licking County jail."

Trees Being Cleared

8/4/10 by Scott

Why are they logging or making a mess of the all the tress on the north side of the bike path between Main St. entrance (Newark) and Granville? Lots [of] trees have been cleared.

Dangerous Bridge Crossing

7/6/10 by Lynne

I rode the Thomas Evans Trail from Johnstown to Newark and back on July 3, 2010. There is a wood-planked railroad trestle bridge that is in very, very poor repair. The bridge is in Newark near the point that Reddington Road crosses over the trail. There is a hole in the wood that a small child could fall through, and several smaller holes.

When you are riding at even a slower speed, you are upon the disrepair before you know it. It was not marked or barracaded in any way. Be careful.

Ride & Condition Report

4/5/10 by Evan

Rode from the begining of the trail in Johnstown at Douglas street. The road going down to the trail is very rough. next time I will enter through the neighborhood about 300 feet down.

Overall the trail wasnt bad. It was VERY windy today, and thus there were a lot of branches/debris on the trail, but nothing that can really stop that. Many of the potholes were marked with white paint and easily visible/avoidable. The section of the trail after you turn left to go through the tunnels, over the white bridge, and down towards Church St, 21st, etc was a little rough, but even with my skinny tires I was able to get through it without any real issues. Once you come out of the wooded area it was pretty smooth again.

It was 3 amatuer bikers total today, and we enjoyed it. I could see how some more experienced riders may not favor some sections, but for a casual rider, you'll be fine.

Newark Trail Section Closed

9/15/09 by Ohio Bikeways

The trail is closed for repairs between Country Club Drive and Cherry Valley Road on the west side of Newark. It is scheduled to reopen on September 19.

Note that this section is not the hazardous section referred to below.

Dangerous Holes In Surface

7/8/09 by Andrea Tippery

Be very careful on this trail between Johnstown and Alexandria. There is a huge pothole in the middle of the [trail] that, due to the canopy of trees, I didn't see until I was right on top of it. Ended up flipping over the handlebars. I have road rash on both knees and elbows, a scraped nose and a busted lip. BE CAREFUL so you don't get hurt too!!

Trail Review Updated

6/25/07 by Ohio Bikeways

We visited the Thomas J. Evans Newark to Johnstown trail recently and have updated the review page.

The trail was resurfaced in '03, but it appears that little on no maintenance to the surface has been done since that time. Ordinarily, not much should need to be done, but in this case there are some hazards that could use some attention: There are several holes in the asphalt surface, mostly along the center of the trail, though we did see one or two along the edge as well. Riding from Johnstown, we found the first few were circled with bright paint, which helps riders to at least avoid them, but further along they are not marked and are harder to spot as you approach.

Other than a number of very small ripples (small bumps & tiny dips), the surface is in good condition. And that can present a bit of a false sense of security as you breeze along not necessarily expecting that unforseen hole in the pavement until it's too late.

Fat tires may roll over the holes with little problem, but a skinny-tired road bike would suffer a good jolt!

Connecting Newark Trails

11/11/03 by Ohio Bikeways

We visited this newly paved trail to explore the spurs that are being constructed to connect three Newark area trails together. The connection from the Thomas Evans Trail (Newark to Johnstown) to the Newark-OSU Campus Trail is complete. The connector wasn't marked during our visit, but lies near a bike tunnel along the trail where it begins to parallel Cherry Valley Road, just north of Main Street in Newark.

The trail extension continues eastward from the pedestrian bridge that crosses Route 16 to campus, and currently ends at the YMCA at 470 W. Church Street in Newark. The trail ends here, but if you continue east on Church over to East Main & Morris, you'll find the Panhandle Trail, less than two miles away!

Resurfacing Almost Complete!

10/03 by Keith Vetter

The Thomas J. Evans bike path between Johnstown and Newark, Ohio is currently being repaved. As of October 28 they were just finishing that last mile or so near Newark.

They're doing a great job. They first dug a trench on both sides of the trail to sever any tree roots that were causing pavement cracks. Then they're putting down about a 2 inch layer of asphalt on top of the existing pavement.

Trail Specs:

Class: A1+

Length: 14.2 miles / asphalt - approx. 9'- 10' wide
Y-Connector: 3.5 miles / asphalt 11 - 13' wide

Condition: Fair to Very Good (Watch for potholes in the asphalt!)

Facilities: A water fountain at the restored depot in Granville. Gas station/mini-mart across the street. Also, restrooms and water at the park along the campus connector trail just north of the Newark/OSU campus.

Food: John Youger writes, "There are a lot of places to eat in the (Granville) business district on the north side of Broadway. Follow these directions:

Access point 1: At the water treatment plant road, on the western edge of Granville, go up the access road to the 4-way stop. Go left, a few blocks to Broadway, then turn right.

Access point 2: Heading toward Newark you will pass OH 661 (.2mi). You could enter Granville here, but it's very busy. Stay on the trail another 500', just past the businesses and you'll see a spur heading to the left and up a hill. Take the spur and go straight and you'll hit Broadway. Turn left on Broadway."

Parking: In Granville along Main St. Also at both ends of the trail in Newark & Johnstown, but not marked with any signs. W. Main St intersects the trail at its southern terminus in Newark. Another lot is alongside the trail on Cherry Valley Road in Newark. Use caution here as access to parking brings cars onto the trail.

Johnstown Alexandria Granville Y-Connector Newark

14.8mi 8.6mi 3.3mi .5mi 0mi

Connector to Campus Trail & YMCA:

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