Comment on CeMar Trail project making progress despite delays from derecho

MARION — A couple of Marion pathway projects will see a lot of work this year as warmer weather approaches and walkers, runners and bicyclists start hitting the trails.The CeMar Trail project, which got underway last year, will be closer to completion by the end of the year, and the 10th Avenue Sidepath project eventually will change the streetscape along 10th Avenue/Highway 151.Work on the long-awaited CeMar Trail began last July when construction in Marion closed the portion of the Boyson Trail between Thomas and Donnelly parks.The Marion portion of the project has five phases and will renovate and pave existing trails as well as add new ones, connecting Uptown Marion to downtown Cedar Rapids.Once completed, the trail will be 7 miles long with about 4 of those miles in Marion.