VANCOUVER -- A 33-mile rail trail that would cut across the heart of Clark County inched closer to reality this week when county commissioners agreed to accept federal money for planning and the first phase of construction.

The trail would use the corridor of the county-owned Chelatchie Prairie Railroad line from Burnt Bridge Creek in Vancouver to Battle Ground, Yacolt and Chelatchie Prairie. It would parallel the tracks, which the county hopes to restore to carry freight and passengers, and would be designed for hikers, bikers and horseback riders.

Under the proposal, the federal government would provide $207,000 of the estimated $340,000 needed for the first step, which will include planning and design of a "share-use regional trail." The state will pay $2,000 and the county will be responsible for $133,000.

The first construction would be between the former Battle Ground fairgrounds and Battle Ground State Park, following a four-mile segment of track that crosses no roads.

Eventually the trail would be expanded on the north to Chelatchie Prairie, the northern end of the county rail line, and south to connect with Vancouver's network of trails near the Minnehaha area. In a few areas where the right of way is narrow, the county may have to acquire extra land to keep the trail and tracks properly separated for safety.

Clark County included the trail concept at its 2005 trails symposium and added it to the six-year transportation plan to qualify for state and federal dollars.

According to Steve Schulte, county transportation manager, trail engineering work should start in January, with construction scheduled for one year later.

In addition to the federal money set aside for design work, another $243,000 has been earmarked for construction. Total cost of the project is estimated at $600,000.

— The Oregonian