NILES  Two former CSX railroad bridges in Niles will be painted in the coming weeks as part of the Niles-Greenway Phase IV bike trail expansion project.

According to Niles Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz, one bridge crosses Robbins Avenue near the trailhead, and the other crosses Main Street near Maple Street. The painting project is a collaborative effort between the city, Trumbull County, and the State of Ohio.

The project, which is estimated to cost $400,000, includes $300,000 in state capital dollars, $75,000 from the county, and $25,000 from the city.

An image posted on the mayor's Facebook page shows one of the bridges painted dark blue, with a stenciled "NILES" shadow.

Mientkiewicz said the aesthetics of the bridges have been a priority for elected officials and the community. The bridges were last painted in the 1980s.

The city is continuing conversations with Genesee-Wyoming Railroad about the appearance of two other bridges that are on active tracks and are privately owned by the company.

The city cannot use taxpayer money for projects on private property. The Genesee-Wyoming Railroad owns or leases more than 100 freight railroads throughout North America.

The Niles-Greenway Phase IV bike trail expansion project includes construction of a 4.25-mile asphalt concrete multi-purpose trail to connect the existing Niles Greenway Trail to the southern end of the Warren Greenway Trail.