TRUCKEE, Calif. —Funding for the Highway 89 mini Mousehole project has been secured, allowing construction to start as early as next spring.

The California Transportation Commission OK'd $3.1 million on March 20 to build a pedestrian/bicycle railroad undercrossing east of the existing Mousehole tunnel.

The $12.6 million project is a mix of local, state and federal dollars, with this latest funding coming from the State Transportation Improvement Program.

The town of Truckee is working with Union Pacific Railroad Company to secure a needed Highway 89 easement, said Becky Bucar, associate engineer for the town. Project designs also are awaiting approval from the railroad company and Caltrans.

The town anticipates advertising the safety project this summer or fall and awarding a bid in the fall. Construction could start in spring 2015, taking one to two seasons to complete, Bucar said.