BEATRICE – A new recreational trail section that will connect Beatrice city parks in the southeast with the northeast, is closing in on the finish line.

The two-and-a-half-mile long trail section is being built by Caspers Construction , for $1.34 million. Concrete paving on the trail has now reached Hannibal Park.

The trail goes from the Big Blue Water Park through part of the Flowing Springs area to Beatrice High School…then north across Beatrice Public School District-owned land.

It crosses Lincoln Street on the east side of Christ Community Church, where the final stretch connects with Hannibal Park.

Estimated completion is mid-September.

A federal surface transportation grant is covering 80-percent of the cost, while the City of Beatrice pays the remaining 20-percent, or about $260,000.