DURANT, Okla. (KTEN) — A new trail in Durant has been in the works for almost a decade.

The original plan for the trail around Chuckwa Creek by North First Avenue was to repurpose the abandoned railroad to become a trail.

The first grant was awarded back in 2015, but it wasn't enough for the $1.3 million project.

"Very anxious to get this moving, and it's been a long awaited project," said Durant grants coordinator Rebecca Payne.

Now, with a total fund of $1.4 million — thanks to a final grant of more than $600,000 approved at Tuesday night's City Council meeting — Durant finally has enough money to construct the one-mile trail and 200-foot steel pedestrian bridge that will go over the creek.

"It will connect to the trail on Southeastern's property that most people call the Crooked Smile Trail, or Cross-Country," Payne said. "And then, with the new equestrian center being built on that same side, it will connect a lot of facilities."

They hope that with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation taking over the project, construction will begin in January, and Southeastern will take care of all maintenance since it's part of their property.