The Oklahoma City Council Tuesday awarded a contract to Vantage Paving to build the 10.5- mile South Grand Boulevard Trail.

The trail, which is designed for pedestrians, cyclists and skaters, is estimated to cost $1.73 million.

Lanc Gross, a senior planner for the city, said the city probably will determine a starting date for the construction next week. The project has a completion span that is supposed to take no longer than 150 working days, or about five to seven months, he said.

The trail will pass through Trosper, Oliver, and Woodson parks. The trail's path will follow South Grand Boulevard, Interstate 44 and the North Canadian River.

Gross said the project actually is overfunded because of a favorable bid from Vantage Paving. The city has a federal grant worth about $1.1 million and earmarked funds from a 1995 bond issue worth about $1.2 million.

He said it hasn't been determined how excess funds will be used. He said funds could be used as a cushion if the project runs over budget, they could provide some additional enhancements to the trail, or they could be held for future trail projects.

A chorus of trail advocates celebrated the news.

Jo Ann Pearce, executive director of Oklahoma City Beautiful, said she is delighted the project is moving forward. The nonprofit group was involved in the inception of the popular Lake Hefner Trails. She said the Hefner trail's planners had always hoped that the trail would spur additional trail development.

The city has committed to a citywide trail plan and has funding in place for 46.3 miles of trails, as well as trail plans beyond those. The South Grand Boulevard Trail is the first step in implementing this plan.

Pearce said she thinks trails have multiple benefits, which contribute to their success.

"Lake Hefner is a great example of not only a great recreational facility, but I think it also creates a great sense of community in that area," she said.

Pearce said she believes that a good trail system is an essential component of a high quality of life in a city.

Jerry Foshee, Ward 5 Oklahoma City Council member, also was pleased that the project was moving forward. Although the trail does not pass through Foshee's southside ward, he said the trail would be far more accessible to people in his area than the Lake Hefner Trail.

"Anything is an improvement when you have nothing," Foshee said.

He said he is looking forward to further trail development in south Oklahoma City, including the Earlywine Trail, which will go through Earlywine Park.

Foshee said the trails provide an aesthetic value and a safety value. In addition, he said, they could benefit the city's economic development. Employers seek a variety of recreational and entertainment options when they select communities to locate operations.

"When it comes to trails, it's kind of like a good fresh bowl of ice cream and strawberries," he said. "You'd always like to have more."

Hal McKnight, a longtime Oklahoma City trail advocate, shares that view.

"This shows that the city is moving ahead," McKnight said.

McKnight, who owns Wheeler Dealer bicycle shop, said he believes the trail system plan is very popular.

"The will of the people is being fulfilled," he said.

When the trail system is completed, McKnight said, it will be increasingly used for commuting between areas in addition to a variety of recreational uses.