Work on the Erie Rail Trail is moving forward.
Anthony Goodnight, director of public works and engineering services for the city, presented a design proposal from DLZ to both the Redevelopment Commission and the Board of Public Works and Safety outlining work for the Erie Rail Trail Section 3 that will eventually be used by the public as a recreation trail once completed.
One of the areas addressed in the proposal was passage over Flint Creek.
"There is a ditch that runs along the back side of (Huntington) University and we have to cross that ditch. We don't know the best way to cross it yet. So, we are going to do an extensive evaluation to figure out the best way," Goodnight said.
Three options were given in the proposal: a large diameter culvert at a cost of $12,000, a box culvert at a cost of $12,000 or a single-span bridge with a cost of $42,000.
"The first step is going to be doing a preliminary evaluation to determine the best option," Goodnight said. "What I asked them to do was put the most expensive option in the agreement. That way, I don't have to go back to the Board of Public Works. ... It is our intent to go after the ones that are substantially cheaper but there are too many pieces involved to make that determination (yet)."
Goodnight said they should know which option to go with by January.
Other elements to the trail would include lighting, spurs at Yeoman Park and finding a location for a possible BMX course.
The study, survey and design proposal from DLZ was for $160,000. Goodnight said construction for the trail would be about $850,000.
The project is funded through $7 million in bonds taken out by the Redevelopment Commission earlier this year to create an almost seven-mile system of trails throughout the city.
The Board of Works unanimously.