ShawneeDispatch.com

The Kansas Department of Transportation has announced that the City of Shawnee has been awarded a Transportation Enhancement grant for the construction of Phase II of the Clear Creek Pedestrian/Bicycle Trail.

Phase I of the Clear Creek Trail is scheduled for construction this summer and also includes funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation. The overall Clear

Creek Trail plan includes four phases and when completed will go from Clare

Road to the Johnson County Mill Creek Streamway Trail.

The total project cost is estimated at $1.2 million, with the grant providing 70 percent or a maximum reimbursement of $700,000.

"I was very excited that we had one of the 15 projects selected from 62 applications this year," Shawnee Mayor Jeff Meyers said in a release. "I am very proud of the hard work our Parks and Recreation staff put into the application to secure this funding. These grants allow us to build projects that have a direct impact on the quality of life in Shawnee by increasing opportunities for healthy, outdoor recreational activities,now and in the future. "

Phase II will extend the trail system 1.2 miles, starting at Gamblin Park located at 62nd and Monticello, going east to Woodstock and connecting into the existing on-street bicycle network on Woodland. The Shawnee's well-developed, extensive bicycle trail network has been recognized as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the American League of Bicyclists.