The Roanoke Times | File February

Kevin Conner (right), a landscape architect with Gay and Neel Inc. of Christiansburg, points to the location of a planned bridge for the Huckleberry Trail over Virginia 114 in Christiansburg.

CHRISTIANSBURG -- Supporters of the Huckleberry Trail are confident that this year's push for financial assistance will be successful.

Four months after being denied funding through the Virginia Department of Transportation, Christiansburg has enlisted local supporters and the Montgomery Board of Supervisors on the trail's application for federal Transportation Enhancement Program grants.

The town is asking for $700,000 to fund the construction of a bridge over Virginia 114, connecting the trail from the New River Valley Mall with the rear of Wal-Mart. The plan is ultimately to extend the trail to the Christiansburg Recreation Center.

Christiansburg Councilman Brad Stipes, who describes himself as a "cheerleader" for the project, said he has been working with VDOT to make sure this year's application is as strong and attractive as possible.

"We've done everything we can do from a preparation standpoint," Stipes said.

Stipes and Mayor Richard Ballengee stood before the board of supervisors two weeks ago, accompanied by other supporters of the trail, including John Neel of Gay and Neel Inc., the company preparing the final application.

They asked the county to sponsor the application, which would make it more attractive to VDOT.

"We feel a lot more confident about the application this year," Neel told the board.

The board voted unanimously Monday to sponsor the application, just in time to make Saturday's deadline.

Through the program, the government would fund 80 percent of the money needed to complete a project, leaving the locality requesting the grant responsible for the remaining 20 percent.

Neel said he has received letters of support from various private organizations.

Chairwoman Annette Perkins noted that a lot of people use the trail, so it would be "delightful" to see it continue.

In June, the Virginia Department of Transportation passed on the trail's grant application.

It was denied because other projects that had previously been funded took priority over any new ones, including Christiansburg's request for $450,000.

Dana Martin, the Salem District representative of the 17-member Commonwealth Transportation Board that oversees VDOT, said that the Huckleberry Trail is a strong candidate to receive support this time around but that the decision will depend on a critical factor.

"It's going to really come down to how much money is available," Martin said.

He said every project is screened by the staff and judged by how well the project fits the Transportation Enhancement Program criteria. Each project is judged on a 100-point, five-part score sheet. If scored favorably, the project will then be assessed on how much money is requested in comparison with how much is available.

According to VDOT, Transportation Enhancement Program grants are intended to fund projects that go "above and beyond common transportation practice," excluding traditional highway projects or road improvements.

Stipes said the hard part is getting initial funding, but once approved, projects are often supported through completion. He also said he has also received a number of pledges from local businesses to donate money once the application is approved.

"Once you're successful, once you get the spigot turned on, the next year it's that much easier to get funds," Stipes said.

The decision for grants will be made in March or April, with an announcement following in May or June.