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Fencing and warning signs for trailside construction areas

Signs to caution trail users about unexpected conditions or potential hazards. Nearby construction can have a big impact on bike and pedestrian facilities. When work is being done on highways, streets, bridges, and intersections, it is vital to warn and accomodate people walking and bicycling. These photos show a variety of ways that trail users are warned and kept safe as they negotiate construction sites. The techniques are straightforward— fences, barricades, and warning signs— but the execution varies considerably.The following examples are from a wide variety of trails across the United States.

Also see the photo galleries of Detours and work zone protection for trails and bikeways

Also see the photo galleries of Trail safety and warning signs

Click on any photo to see it full size:

(Commentary and photos by Stuart Macdonald, May 2010)

Warning sign and fencing through construction along Schuykill River Greenway, Philadelphia, PA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, October 6, 2008

Warning signs for trail users before entering construction area along Schuykill River Greenway, Philadelphia, PA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, October 6, 2008

Trail is kept open even while major rockwork construction is going on; Sparks Marina Park in Sparks, NV; photo by Stuart Macdonald, March 10, 2008

Fences keep trail users away from retaining wall dropoff, and out of earthmoving area; Sparks Marina Park near Reno, NV; photo by Stuart Macdonald, March 10, 2008

Chainlink fence keeps public out of housing construction grading site along heavily-used trail at Sparks Marina Park near Reno, NV; photo by Stuart Macdonald, March 10, 2008

Sign warns of trail's end but doesn't provide alternate route; Willamette River Trail in Portland, OR; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Aug. 26, 2008

Trail is blocked but altyernate route is provided on the west edge of Georgetown's Rock Creek Trail; photo by Stuart Macdonald, June 16, 2007

Detour is fenced and surfaced with wood chips dyed green, for some reason; Rock Creek Trail, Washington, DC; photo by Stuart Macdonald, June 16, 2007

Christo was here! Orange plastic safety fencing used to keep trail users from clilmbing face of Westerly Creek Dam, Denver; photo by Stuart Macdonald, July 20, 2007

Managers of Westerly Creek Dam are serious about keep runners and bikers on the trail; plastic safety fencing secured by metal signposts forms the barrier in Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, July 20, 2007

Clear Creek Trail/Bikepath closed due to construction activity adjacent to the trail; detour provided along adjacent 44th Avenue. Jefferson County Open Space west of Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Aug. 1, 2009

Trail of the Sentinels, an accessible boardwalk on Forest Service land in Washington state, is closed with lumber barricade; photo by Stuart Macdonald, October 12, 2006

Detail of sign at Trail of the Sentinels trailhead; sign politely says why the trail is closed and who to contact for more information, including a person's name at Mt. Baker Ranger District; photo by Stuart Macdonald, October 12, 2006

Sign indicating closure of abandoned railroad bridge, now opened with railings and surfacing in Anacortes, WA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, August 28, 2006

Highway barricade blocks users while trail grading and paving is underway, and temporary sign explains why; Olympic Discovery Trail, WA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, November 9, 2007

Sign warning of construction activity ahead on rail trail in Anacortes, WA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, August 28, 2006

Orange highway-style sign warning trail users of closure ahead, Cherry Creek in Denver; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Oct. 14, 2009

Sign posts details of future trail closure, including specific dates, Cherry Creek in Denver; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Oct. 14, 2009

Trail closure sign includes map; Jefferson County Open Space west of Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Aug. 1, 2009

Sign watns trail users of upcoming closure, Bible Park, Denver; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Dec. 5, 2009