It will be easier to bicycle to and from south Waterloo attractions like Lost Island Adventurepark and the Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo under a proposed recreational trail project approved by the City Council this week.

The council approved an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for the use of federal and state funds to extend a recreational trail along Shaulis Road by nearly two miles, from Hawkeye Road, or Iowa Highway 21, to Isle of Capri Boulevard, which is the entrance road to the Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo.

The existing trail runs from U.S. Highway 63 to Highway 21 on the north side of Shaulis road and connects with south Waterloo neighborhoods vial conventional roads and sidewalks, City Engineer Eric Thorson noted.

Under the Iowa DOT-city agreement the council approved Monday, federal funds would be used to cover up to 80 percent of the cost, up to $412,000. State recreational trail funds would pay 20 percent, or $103,000.

"Future phases would continue working the eastward expansion of the trail to connect it to the Cedar Valley Nature Trail" between Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, city staff noted in a report to the council.

Construction is anticipated for next year, Thorson said. He noted that a consultant must be selected in conjunction with the federal funds being utilized for the project.

A site adjacent to the casino and nearby Lost Island Adventurepark was an overnight stop for the RAGBRAI cross-state bicycle ride several years ago -- a point, which Thorson agreed, is good to consider for future planning purposes.