Marseilles may in the future possibly scrap its long-standing plan for a walkway from Broadway and Commercial streets south along Main Street then under the Illinois River Bridge and west to the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial.

That could delay construction of a safe Main Street pedestrian path across the south race bridge, just north of the Wheel Wash car wash. Currently, pedesterians must walk on a striped section of roadway on the east side of the bridge deck.

In 2006 the city received an 80-20 matching grant from the state for the project, with the state coming up with $220,000 and the city $44,000.

It was not the $330,000 the city had sought. But later $100,000 in federal stimulus money became available.

Although that brought the grant money to $320,000, City Engineer Mike Etscheid told the City Council Wednesday the city's share may be beyond what it can afford.

He said another factor is that unless the project is awarded by January, all the federal and state funds could be lost.

He said he will be seeking to scale the project back, but ultimately the after the project bids come in the city can pull the plug if it wishes.

With that understanding, the City Council passed a participation agreement for the project.

Etscheid said the city's plan specifications are due to the state within the next couple of weeks.

In other business:

• Mayor Jim Trager thanked the Oktoberfest Committee for the "great job" it did hosting the event on last Saturday on Main Street. "I think it worked out real good." He noted the weather was good, people had enjoyed themselves and some funds had been raised an unknown amount of funds for the city's 175th anniversary next year.
• Commissioner Jim Buckingham noted the wastewater treatment plant renovation project which began in April would be meeting its Oct. 26 completion date. He commended former Commissioner Jim Rieuf, Mayor Jim Trager and plant supervisor Don Christensen for their parts in the project.
• An amendment was approved to the enterprise zone that includes the Top Crop Wind Farm to accommodate changes in wind turbine locations and the construction of a substation.
• A resolution was approved authorizing the use of $35,466 in state motor fuel tax money, $31,714 of which is to be spent on road salt. The rest is for road patching material.
• Etschied noted road work was under way on Broadway, Chicago and Rose streets.