The city of Bainbridge Island will host a groundbreaking event to celebrate the start of the initial phase of construction of the Sound to Olympics Trail on Bainbridge this week.

The groundbreaking is set for 1 p.m. Thursday, March 9 in the grass area at the northeast corner of Winslow Way and Olympic Drive.

The initial phase of the project, city officials said, will provide a separated shared use pathway along Highway 305 from High School Road to Winslow Way. The project will complete the “first mile” of the Sound to Olympics Trail and study potential trail connections, as well. The new pathway will connect to the pedestrian bridge across Ravine Creek.

Construction is expected to begin sometime in mid-March and last for the duration of the year.

At times during construction, officials said one northbound lane of Highway 305 will be impacted, and there will be closures at the existing trail and pedestrian bridge.