There鈥檚 been a major boost for the Okanagan Rail Trail.

A $500,000 provincial rural dividend grant has been received for the recreational corridor from Coldstream to 91大黄鸭, and now $3.1 million of the $7.8 million goal has been raised.

鈥淭his will be the biggest year yet,鈥� says Brad Clements, with the Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative.

鈥淭rail construction activities will be proceeding, and there will be a final push to complete fundraising so that the trail can be finished and open by 2018.鈥�

The rural dividend grant will be used to create safe trail/road crossings in the North Okanagan and Lake Country, and to build test sections to determine the most appropriate and economical means for constructing the remainder of trail and encourage local construction companies to get involved.

鈥淏usinesses, clubs and organizations can get involved by signing up as business partners and campaign partners to help with fundraising,鈥� said Laurie Postill, with ORTI.

For more information, go to www.okanaganrailtrail.ca.