Kleinfelder’s Ohio Planning and Community Relations team has helped secure $1 million in federal funding for Wood County’s Chessie Circle Trail Buildout, representing the first federal earmark for construction of the Chessie Circle Trail in Wood County and the first federal earmark request prepared by Kleinfelder’s Ohio team to be successfully funded.
The funding supports construction of a 2.37-mile, 16-foot-wide multi-use path in northern Wood County, including a connection to the W.W. Knight Nature Preserve and installation of trailheads, wayfinding, and other amenities. The award moves the Wood County portion of the project from planning into construction.
The Chessie Circle Trail is a unique 11-mile corridor built on the footprint of the historic Toledo Terminal Railroad line in Lucas and Wood counties. This urban corridor is being transformed into a multi-use trail that creates a new transportation alternative. The path includes parking at access points, wayfinding signage, and information kiosks, and ultimately will link schools and university campuses, hospitals, shopping areas, parks, and neighborhoods throughout the region.
“Securing this federal funding was an important step in advancing the Wood County portion of the trail,” said Paulette Mills, who spearheaded the grant effort. “It allows the overland segments to move into construction and builds momentum for the broader corridor vision.”
The Technical Foundation
In 2023, Wood County Port Authority engaged Kleinfelder to conduct the preliminary engineering study for the multi-use path. The team evaluated terrain, drainage, utility conflicts, safety considerations, and existing structural conditions, and developed mapping and design documents using aerial imagery and LIDAR data.
Kleinfelder also collaborated closely with funding agencies, helping position the project competitively for federal support.
The updated estimated construction cost for the Wood County portion of the Chessie Circle Trail is $3.4 million (December 2025). To date, funding secured includes:
- $500,000 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
- $1.8 million in ODOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds through the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments
- $1 million through the federal DOT earmark
The local client contribution is anticipated to be approximately $100,000.
In a January 2026 letter, the Wood County Port Authority commended Kleinfelder for its professionalism, technical expertise, proactive communication, and assistance in securing funding, noting that the team’s efforts were instrumental in keeping the project on track.
The Strategic Future
The Chessie Circle Trail Buildout is a phased rail-to-trail initiative designed to expand the existing regional corridor and strengthen non-motorized connections across the area.
A proposed pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Maumee River remains in feasibility and long-term planning. Advancing the Wood County overland segments now ensures meaningful progress continues while that more complex component is evaluated.
By securing federal funding and delivering strong preliminary engineering support, the Ohio team has reinforced Kleinfelder’s role in this high-visibility community project and positioned the firm for continued involvement as the initiative progresses.