Plans continue to move forward for construction of the Ellicott Trail, a 4.6-mile, east-west pedestrian and bicycle path through the Town of Batavia and around and in the City, connecting parks and other points of interest.
Yesterday, the County's Public Service Committee recommended approval of an inter-municipal agreement between the Town and the County to construct the portion of the path through DeWitt Recreation Area, with a bridge over some wetlands.
The path will pass north of the lake and come out at Route 5 near the Tractor Supply store.
The bridge would be made of aluminum, said Highway Superintendent Tim Hens.
"We wanted to avoid pressure-treated timber because when it gets wet it gets slimy and slippery," Hens said.
The bridge cost is $85,000 plus $30,000 in in-kind county labor expense, which will assist the Town of Batavia in meeting matching funds requirements for grants.
The funds will come from capital reserves already set aside for improvements to the park.
"It's a pretty sharp bridge," Hens said.
The total Ellicott Trail project is expected to cost $1.7 million, and 80 percent of the cost will be covered by a state grant.
For prior coverage of the Ellicott Trail, click here.
