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Federal program paves way for trail

By Caroline Trowbridge - | May 25, 2005

Dust off your bicycle and lace up your walking shoes.

The city of Tonganoxie has been awarded a federal grant that will cover 80 percent of the costs of a new bicycle and pedestrian trail that will link downtown with Chieftain Park. The trail, estimated to cost $432,000, will run along the east side of Main Street, from Fourth Street to the park.

“This is certainly something to celebrate,” City Adminis-trator Mike Yanez told city council members Monday. “You’re going to get about $345,000 of federal highway fund money, and the city will have to come up with about $86,000 in city funds.”

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, which awarded the grant, the local project was among 42 selected in the transportation enhancement program for federal fiscal years 2006-2007.

The project will connect the existing trail system to the Chieftain Park trails and the VFW Park trails and downtown.

Assistant City Administrator Kathy Bard said the project will increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.

“Many of these users are our youngest citizens that are either walking or bicycling to our downtown, the city swimming pool, the local school, or one of our great parks,” said Bard. “Pedestrians headed from downtown to the pool, Chieftain Park or the school will now have a safe place to walk.”

Plans call for the trail to be constructed next summer.