Mower County officials are ready to take a small step forward in completing a state trail that winds through the area.

On Tuesday, Mower County Engineer Mike Hanson reported to the Board of Commissioners that plans are ready for partial construction of the Shooting Star Trail between Adams and Rose Creek.

The board subsequently voted to begin looking for bids, with a letting date of Oct. 12 now set.

Hanson said $300,000 is available in bond funding for the work, which will include tree and culvert removal along the 5.6-mile stretch.

However, $300,000 is not enough to finish the route between Adams and Rose Creek — that would’ve cost roughly $1 million, Hanson reported.

But by going ahead with partial construction, Hanson said he is hopeful it shows the Legislature that the county is eager to go forward with the work but needs more funding.

The construction is expected to begin this fall and last until spring 2010.

When completed, the Shooting Star State Trail will connect the towns of LeRoy, Taopi, Adams, Rose Creek, Austin and Lyle. It is planned to connect to the Blazing Star State Trail in Austin. That trail presently runs seven miles from Albert Lea’s Frank Hall Park to Myre-Big Island State Park, with plans to cross Albert Lea Lake and reach Hayward in 2010.