CITY RECEIVES $449,630 GRANT FOR TRAIL

The City of Cape Girardeau has been awarded $449,630 in federal highway funds by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission that will be used for development of a recreational trail along Cape LaCroix Creek.

The project in Cape was one of 37 around the state that qualified for enhancement money that is available through the new federal highway program. Projects approved around the state totaled $6.7 million, with $2.6 million provided in matching funds.

A 20 percent minimum match is required to qualify for funding. The total project submitted from Cape Girardeau is for $651,000, with $202,000 coming from the city.

Ken Eftink, from the city's planning services division who coordinated the application process, said the grant will enable the city to move faster toward completing the trail.

The trail, being built as part of the Cape LaCroix flood control project being done with the Corps of Engineers, will eventually run six miles from Shawnee Park to a 157-acre detention site park located between Route W and Cape LaCroix Road. Approximately three additional miles of trail are planned at the detention site.

Eftink explained that the funding provided by the highway department will speed up completion of the main part of the trail linking Shawnee, Arena, and Osage Parks; eventually the detention area will be made into a park.

"This is great news," said Eftink. "We'll be able to construct a better, safer hiking trail between the parks and should be able to get started on construction a little sooner than we planned."

He noted that the trail will be 8 feet wide with an asphalt or concrete surface.

Wayne Muri, chief engineer for the Missouri Highway and Transportation Dept., explained that "these funds are for local projects that were previously beyond our help because of limitations on the use of federal transportation money. Federal law now requires some transportation funds to be used for local enhancement projects including pedestrian and bike trails, landscaping and railroad depot rehabilitation."

Funds were distributed to qualified applicants on the basis of population.

Muri pointed out that this is the first time these funds have been allocated in Missouri. More funds will be available next year, and applications will be taken later this spring.

Funds were awarded by a committee with representatives of local, state and federal organizations and agencies.

Eftink, who filed the application for Cape about one year ago, said the city's share of funds will come from the quarter-cent capital improvements sales tax passed in 1988 which provided the local match money for the flood control project.

City Manager J. Ronald Fischer said the funds are a big boost to the recreation part of the flood control project.

Said Fischer: "In the beginning we knew that the Corps would be funding a much less percentage of the trail than the storm water portion and that we would have to come up with a larger amount of funds. This money provides a good part of the funds we needed to come up with. We knew we would complete the trail, but without this money it would have taken longer.

Fischer praised John Oliver, a member of the highway commission from Cape Girardeau, for his help with the project.

"He has been very helpful with us in the application process and helping us determine what is within the scope of the federal highway bill," said Fischer. "John has supported us locally and has been very helpful.

"Once he became aware of the project and the available funds, he took the lead on this."

Dan Muser, director of parks and recreation, said the trail system will be a big boost to his department and he looks forward to having it completed as quickly as possible.

"I'm really happy that we are receiving the grant because this project is going to be a real asset to the community and to the programing and diversity of our park system," said Muser.

Eftink said he was unsure when the money would be available, and that will determine when work will start.

Fischer said the city will move as quickly as possible on the trail construction.

Some right of way still needs to be acquired and some pedestrian bridges and underpasses have to be designed.

In the application for these funds, Eftink specifically sought funding to run the trail from Arena Park to the detention site and from just south of Bloomfield Road to Shawnee Park. The trail area in between is under construction as part of the flood control project and will be finished later this year.

"I don't know yet exactly when the money is available, but if it is available right away, we will get started on it a lot sooner," said Eftink.

He added that a link between Shawnee and Osage Parks would probably be completed first.