ATHOL – The first steps toward creation of the 6.2-mile long Rabbit Run Rail Trail are about to be taken.

The Town of Athol recently announced that it had received a $275,000 MassTrails grant and is contributing a match of nearly $69,000, bringing the total to be used for the trail’s first phase to $344,000. The grant program is overseen by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Initial steps of the project include completion of a detailed survey and design work, as well as outreach to property owners and abutters who may be impacted during the first phase of the rail trail. The work will also include securing rights of way and consideration of possible environmental impacts.

“This scope will provide engineering and community engagement services to create preliminary and then final design plans which can then be used by the town to bring this project through to construction,” according the announcement of the grant award.

Athol Planning and Development Director Eric Smith said the town intends to have the firm of Howard Stein Hudson of Worcester undertake the survey and design work. The firm conducted the initial feasibility study of the Rabbit Run project.

“Essentially, we’re proposing that Phase 1 of the Rabbit Run – which goes from the Bidwell property down to the Thrower Road, Route 2, South Athol Road area – will cover the first mile of the rail trail…Once the engineering and community engagement aspects have been provided, along with ultimately having a final design – so, when this project phase is done – we’ll have a construction estimate and be able to then seek construction funding to build this project out,” said Smith.

Smith said that for the last couple of years, Town Meeting has allocated funds for projects such as the rail trail. Town Manager Shaun Suhoski, he said, “is able to use the money that we have in that grant match account, which is under his department’s budget, for the cost of this match.”

Smith said he wants work to begin as soon as possible.

“We want to get as much of that work done while we have good weather, but I’m waiting for the state contract to be signed,” said Smith. “We’re hoping to get that signed contract back from the commonwealth; I’m actually going to reach out to them in the next day or two. I need to have that signed contract in place, so that gives us an official start date. Once this contract is signed, we can get Howard Stein Hudson officially under agreement to be working with us. Then they can send a survey crew out there.”

Other area communities awarded MassTrails grants include Gardner, which will be receiving $300,000 for construction of a shared-use bridge over Route 140, which will connect the northerly portion of the North Central Pathway to its southerly portion. Currently, hikers and bikers wishing to walk the trail from downtown Gardner to Winchendon have to go across Route 140 to complete their trek. Gardner is providing a match of $80,000.

According to DCR, “The bridge is the final link of the pathway project which will connect downtown Gardner to Winchendon. The 25% design has been approved by MassDOT and the project is on the STIP (State Transportation Improvement Program) list and is eligible for federal aid highway funding.”

Winchendon will be receiving $321,000 to preserve the Mass Rail Trail, which runs from the center of town to the Gardner line. Winchendon is contributing $80,000 to the project.

“The trail will be treated with a double application of microseal, extending the life of the pavement 10-15 years, and creating a better surface for walkers and bicyclists,” the statement read. “The project will also include the addition of rapid flashing beacons at major intersections, and re-striping the pavement markings.”

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@aol.com.