The City of Hillsboro was awarded more than $1.44 million for the construction of the Rails to Trails Community Trail through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) according to a recent announcement from State Rep. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina).
The project will create a walking and biking trail on the abandoned railroad bed and sidewalk on West Main Street between the trailhead and Taylor Court. The trail will be 8,300 feet long, 10 feet wide and will be constructed in 2025 or 2026.
“There’s always been interest in trails, especially trails you can take a bike,” Kirby Ellison, a grant writer for the City of Hillsboro, said.
The total cost of the project will be $1,521,095 with five percent of the project being funded locally.
“The hope is to eventually be able to have a bike lane to extend that pathway to include North High Street,” Ellison said. “It’s going to dump out on North West Street and it’s going to dump out at the greenspace on Beech Street.”
TAP seeks to expand travel choices and strengthen the local economy. The program provided federal funds for projects like pedestrian and bicycle facilities, community improvement activities and the Safe Routes to School program.
“By adding a sidewalk, pedestrians will have a safe and accessible route to uptown Hillsboro from the businesses and neighborhoods located on West Main Street,” Peterson said. “A walking and bike trail will also make the area easier to enjoy and explore.”
TAP provides funding for projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community improvement activities and environmental mitigation and recreational trail program projects.
“We’re trying to get people around Hillsboro without having to jump in a car,” Ellison said. “This trail is part of the overall Imagine Hillsboro project that was done a few years ago where outdoor living and recreation play a huge part of it, so it’s just giving people an alternative to get them outside and get them to enjoy Hillsboro.”
Reach John Hackley at 937-402-2571.
