T-R photo by Thomas Nelson A biker travels down one of Marshalltown’s many bike trails. The city is looking to find funds to pave a new trail that will lead to Hardin County.

Another step has been taken in completing the Iowa River’s Edge Trail.

The Marshalltown City Council approved an application for $300,000 to pave part of the Iowa River’s Edge Trail, which is a 34-mile path stretching from runs from Steamboat Rock to Marshalltown. The beginning and end of the trail have both been paved. The section of the trail to be paved has not yet been determined, but will be located between bridges two and five.

Funds from multiple other sources will be needed to complete this project, according to city documents. The total paving project is expected to cost around $1 million, but the end result should boost business and the economy with recreation tourism.

“We have a lot of trails from Riverview to all the way out to Grimes Farm,” said Geoff Hubbard, parks director.

Iowa River’s Edge Trail is paved with asphalt. However, there are a lot of cracks in it. The trail used to be a railway.

“We’re hoping to replace much of that existing trail with concrete,” Hubbard said.

The Iowa River’s Edge Trail is intended to connect seven cities — Marshalltown, Albion, Liscomb, Union, Gifford, Eldora and Steamboat Rock — and Marshall and Hardin counties to the Iowa River Greenbelt and the Central Iowa Trail Network.

Since the towns on the trail are no more than 6.8 miles apart, users will have amenities close-by no matter where on the path they might be. Iowa River’s Edge Trail also intends to highlight some points of interest in the towns.

Some interest points include:

• Marshalltown — Cultural diversity, 13th Street District, Iowa Veterans Home and Linn Creek Recreational Trail

• Steamboat Rock — The Boat Club and Washington Square

• Eldora — Pine Lake State Park and the Civilian Conservation Corps POW Museum

Trailheads — or access points to the trail — are proposed in all of the communities and will have such amenities as restrooms, furniture and drinking fountains.

The trail will serve as a draw for people looking to move to the area, and to businesses.

Hubbard predicts the trail is going to take about 10 to 15 years to complete.

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Contact Thomas Nelson at 641-753-6611 or tnelson@timesrepublican.com