(KAIR)--Construction of a new Atchison walking and biking trail—nearly three years in the works—was given a stamp of approval from Atchison City Commissioners.

That decision follows Monday’s meeting where commissioners passed a resolution 3-2 authorizing City Manager Trey Cocking to sign contract documents with KDoT and Heavy Construction LLC for construction of the South Atchison Trail Project.

The more than $1 million project was awarded $1.17 million by KDOT in the pedestrian and bicycle facilities category of the Transportation Alternatives program. The city was also awarded $55,000 in funding from the Sunflower Foundation grant for the project.

In total, the city is expected to spend $135,000 of its budget on the new trail.

When complete, the trail will begin at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 59 and U.S. Hwy 73. The ten-foot-wide, asphalt trail will continue for approximately a mile and a half in southern Atchison ending at Raven Hill Road by the hospital and Walmart.