Milton Town Council unanimously approved a $1 million project to extend the Rails to Trails pathway.

The project, which will extend the trail along the old railroad line from Federal Street to Lavinia Street, is slated to cost $1 million, with 80 percent of the cost funded by the state. Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, has pledged $100,000 in community transportation funds for the town’s $200,000 share. During a Aug. 20 town council meeting, Town Manager Kristy Rogers said the town will pay the remaining $100,000 and is exploring additional grants to cover the costs.

The town will be responsible for maintaining the trail, including landscaping and asphalt, except for the trestle crossing Ingram Branch stream, which will be refurbished and maintained by Delaware Department of Transportation. Rogers said there will be no lights on the trail path, but DelDOT is investigating the feasibility of installing conduits to install lights in the future.

There is no construction timeline, Rogers said, but work could begin in the spring.

The Rails to Trails project is included in the town’s 2017 comprehensive development plan to repurpose former rail lines into pedestrian and bicycle paths. The first phase, 600 feet, extends from Chestnut Street to Federal Street, building 600 feet of trail. The second phase would build an additional 1,600 feet of trail.