Reconstruction of the Catwalk National Recreation Trail and its parking area is expected to get a boost now that federal funding has been approved.
Officials with the Gila National Forest say a change in the process to approve and disburse emergency funds from the Federal Highway Administration to another division initially resulted in a delay.
District Ranger Debbie Cress says designs are now being finalized so contractors can bid on the project. The next step would be reviewing the proposals and picking a contractor.
The contract is expected to be awarded in late June, with preliminary work starting in late summer or early fall.
Cress says the goal is to have the Catwalk reconstructed and reopened before summer 2016.
The Catwalk remains closed due to flood damage.
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