(August 4, 2005) — Emerging from an overgrown wooded area, the dirt footpath becomes a boardwalk stretching over just a portion of the Genesee River called Turning Basin.

Blue herons nest near the banks of the peaceful waters. Bald eagles have been seen gliding overhead.

Rochester City Councilman Robert Stevenson calls it "raw nature." Assuming a successful two-step through final City Council approval beginning tonight, work will begin next month on a $5.4 million portion of the Genesee Riverway Trail that includes building a new bridge connecting to the other side of the basin and opening this already public park to more people.

The most spectacular part of the 1.6-mile project from just south of Turning Point Park north to Petten Street is the ¾-mile bridge that will carry trail users over the basin. Construction should be completed by fall 2006, leaving only one gap in the trail linking the Erie Canal to Lake Ontario.

"I'm very excited about this trail," Stevenson said, explaining that this section has been in discussion for about 20 years and in serious design the past five years. "This is going to be the gem. Oh, it's going to be beautiful."

The remaining gap in the trail is from downtown to the river's Lower Falls.

Federal dollars will pay for more than $4 million of the project, the state another $100,000 to improve the adjacent canoe launch area and the city will pick up the rest. There was some last-minute scrambling to cover the bill after bids received July 13 exceeded the engineer's estimate by more than $1 million. The city rerouted some money, scaled back, and secured an additional $868,276 in federal money.

Michael Parker, 52, lives in Charlotte and is familiar with nearly every trail bend and tree in Turning Point Park. It is one of his favorite retreats in the city. He used to walk it almost daily with his dog, Kato. He points to a dead tree along the riverbank, recalling the time he first saw a bald eagle up close.

"It came out of a tree and glided upstream," he said, "almost arms-length from me. It was breathtaking."

The new trail will follow and widen an existing asphalt section that leads toward the point where the new bridge will cross the basin.

Ed Doherty, the city's commissioner of environmental services, said the bridge was the most viable option after the city was unable to reach an agreement with CSX to share railroad property that rides the basin ridge. The rail line is still active.

As for the higher bid price, Doherty cited the uniqueness of the project — the bridge section must be built from a barge. Two firms bid on the project, compared with the more typical four or five bidders, and both were in the same price range, he said.

"Not as many of our local contractors had access to the particular equipment that would be needed to do this," he said.

City officials had hoped to bid the project last year but hit complications with land acquisition. The city spent an additional $430,000 to buy 4.3 acres plus two permanent easements for drainage through a nearby marina property.