Hearing on Jackson recreation trail planned for today

A public hearing on the proposed Oak Street recreation trail project will be held at 7:30 p.m. today during a regular Jackson Board of Aldermen meeting.

City officials are gathering input prior to preparing the final plans for constructing a new 1-mile trail along Oak Street, between the City Park and North West Lane.

The project consists of constructing a 6-foot wide concrete sidewalk, installing wheelchair ramps and repairing driveway entrances.

The project is estimated to cost more than $230,000 and is being mostly paid for by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Funds from MoDOT's Transportation Enhancement Program will cover 70 percent of the project, and the city will pay the remaining amount.

Public works director Rodney Bollinger said the city plans to advertise for bids in January, and the project is expected to be complete in early 2007.