Washington County Conservation is preparing for the Kewash Nature Trail spur project to commence later this year.

The project involves creating a leg of the trail that connects the Kewash Nature Trail to the Kirkwood Community College Washington County Regional Center, and paving the trail from Highway 1 to the Crooked Creek Bridge or when the board runs out of money. Director Steve Anderson said at the recent conservation board meeting that the first round of trees have been removed along the planned spur, “With the TAP project we’re going to have to do some additional clearing on the section of the trail as it goes west of Willow Pond to the first road, in order to allow for the grading that’s required. And a little bit more tree removal up through Willow Pond but we do have the other sections all accomplished for it.”

The board is waiting on the results of an archaeological study before they can request bids for the grading and paving, but Anderson expects bids to be opened on May 15. The project has received a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant of $342,537 and a Washington County Riverboat Foundation grant of $120,000.