Funding Secured For St. Cloud Area Trail Development Projects

ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- Three area cities have all received substantial grant money to help with trail projects. St. Cloud, St. Joseph, and Sauk Rapids all received a portion of $2.4 million in federal funding from the Transportation Alternatives program.

St. Cloud was awarded $400,000 to help finish the 1.5-mile gap in the Beaver Island Trail Network. The funds will be used to build the shared-use path that will connect the northern section of the Beaver Island Trail between St. Cloud State University and Clearwater Road. St. Joseph received $286,946 to build a paved trail along College Avenue South between Kennedy Community School and Rivers Bend Park.

Sauk Rapids will get $421,740 to complete Phase III of the Mayhew Lake Road NE trail extension. The Staples Historical Society was also awarded $166,584 for the rehabilitation and public access improvements at the Staples Railway Depot.