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Apr 04 2008

Monon Trail extension in early stage

Russ Pitz looks forward to the day when residents can walk more than a mile on the Monon Trail in Sheridan [Indiana].

Pitz said he's keeping a close watch on Hamilton County's effort to extend the Monon Trail three miles from 216th Street to Lamong Road.

He was elated when he found out the county was approved for a $1 million grant to help acquire 27 acres that would extend the trail south from Lamong Road to 216th Street.

Janet Powell, a lobbyist for Hamilton County and member of the Baker Donaldson firm in Washington, D.C., toured three proposed projects in the county last week, including the Monon Trail extension, to gather information. The county will ask for federal dollars to help supplement the grant, she said. The funds would be used to finish up right of way acquisitions and for construction, Altman said.

The Hamilton County Council has issued a letter of support for a federal earmark that would match 20 percent of the federal request.

In November, the state announced Hamilton County would receive $1 million in transportation enhancement funds for the project. The Federal Highway Administration awarded the money to the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Even though the funds are approved, it's going to take another couple of years to complete land acquisitions for the project, said County Commissioner Christine Altman.

"It's probably going to take two years to do the land acquisition unless landowners are extremely cooperative along the route," she said, adding that county officials first have to make sure who owns the land before they can make any offers. "We have a lot of work to do. It's certainly not insurmountable, but we just have to follow every step."

Hamilton County Parks Director Al Patterson estimates it will cost about $3 million for construction and right of way acquisition for the project.

In the meantime, Westfield and Washington Township are also working on getting parts of the trail in their areas completed so it can connect at 146th Street to the trail through Carmel and Indianapolis.

Patterson estimated the total cost for all the portions would run $6 million, with a completion date three to four years away.

Call Star reporter Tania E. Lopez at (317) 444-5528.

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