SYRACUSE — The Syracuse City Council approved an agreement Tuesday with the Utah Department of Transportation to install a $1.2 million pedestrian underpass under Antelope Drive.

The project, which will be completed by July 2008, will link the north and south portions of the Old Emigrant Trail, a 7-mile paved walking trail from Syracuse to West Point, which traces the route pioneers took when they left Salt Lake City for other regions, such as California, Oregon and Idaho.

Although construction costs are estimated to be $1.2 million, the project could total $1.5 million, said Syracuse city administrator Rodger Worthen, with $800,000 coming from the federal government and $100,000 coming from UDOT.

Syracuse has $661,000 it could spend from Class C road funds.

"If we do not take advantage of this money right now, we will not be able to do this project," said Syracuse Mayor Fred Panucci, at the meeting Tuesday night. "Years later, we're going to be able to say we're glad we did it."

Worthen said the current trail presents a safety problem for children who cross Antelope Drive on their way to nearby schools, as well as for cyclists and other pedestrians.

"The biggest fear is that we have someone who gets hit by a vehicle," he said.

The city began working on the project in 2005, when costs were lower, and councilman Lurlen Knight said it's a good idea to get contracts in place before costs go up.

In 2005, the project was slated to cost $900,000, and the city's portion of that was $250,000, said Councilman Wally Petersen. The increased costs led Peterson to cast the lone vote against moving forward with the project. He also said there will be extra costs involved in moving irrigation, gas, sewer and utility lines to make room for the underpass.

"In all of good conscience, I just can't believe it's worth over a million and half dollars to put a hole underneath the road," he said.

Worthen said he hopes the project won't require the $112,000 in contingency funds the city must provide for unforeseen events. Any funds the city provides that aren't used will be returned to the city, he said.

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