Norfolk pursuing RAISE grant for potential pedestrian trail

NORFOLK, Neb. -- The city of Norfolk is looking to receive a grant for a multimodal transportation corridor in the city. 

On Tuesday, the city of Norfolk shared plans to provide safer transportation for pedestrians in Norfolk.  

The project, if approved, would create a multimodal corridor in Norfolk, providing a safe pedestrian trail starting at the Cowboy Trail trailhead and ending in Skyview Park.  

The trail, if built, would provide safe crossings along busy roads in Norfolk and easy transportation for residents who don't have access to a vehicle. 

To help plan the project, the city is looking to utilize the U.S. Department of Transportation's Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant.  

RAISE is a planning grant that provides cities with $1.5 billion annually for five years.  

Receiving the grant would fund the city's project planning to see if building the trail would be possible.  

"With that planning grant it would be to start the design and the plans for this transportation corridor and begin the environmental studies impact and start some community engagement on the project," said Anna Allen, assistant city engineer. "We're hoping if we can get the application and get awarded the grant to start this project, the next step would be applying for a capital grant." 

Allen also said applying for the grant requires a lot of documentation from the city.  

To help with the information-gathering process, the city approved a partnership with Olsson Inc. on Tuesday for $4,450, to assist in their application.  

The city has until Feb. 28, to submit its application, with funds expected to be awarded around June.