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County selected for TAP funding to build Bend in the River trail link; 20% local match required
Summary
A federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) award of $258,060 was announced for a shared‑use trail connection between Trailhead Park and Bend In The River Regional Park; the county will provide a 20% local match and the city of Rice agreed to maintain the trail.
County staff announced that a transportation alternatives program (TAP) application to build a shared‑use trail along County Road 55 from Trailhead Park to Bend In The River Regional Park was selected by the Central Minnesota Area Transportation Partnership. The grant award is $258,060 for the funding year 2029 and requires a 20% local match.
Emma (county planner/public health AmeriCorps alum) and County Engineer Chris Byrd said the award is the third time the county has applied for this connection; the city of Rice agreed by resolution to maintain the trail and had acquired the necessary right‑of‑way. Engineering costs will be borne by the county (engineering costs are not eligible under the TAP construction grant), and the county will be the grant recipient and reimbursement manager when construction is scheduled.
Why it matters: the link would provide nearly a mile of separated trail and safer access for families, youth and seniors traveling between Rice and the regional park. The county will need to budget the 20% local match (about $51,612 on the construction total) and later sign a federal grant agreement and construction documents.
Outcome: informational. Staff said MnDOT will issue an agreement and the county will return to the board for federal grant execution and any required match commitments and intergovernmental agreements with the city of Rice.
Ending: staff asked to provide the city resolution and a formal maintenance agreement to the board before final grant execution.
