DIXFIELD — A sidewalk project that would connect the south side of Nash Street and the athletic fields with Dirigo Middle School will cost slightly more than originally anticipated, selectmen learned Tuesday night from Wright-Pierce engineers.

The town received a $200,000 Safe Routes to School Grant last year for the project from Federal Transportation Enhancement funds through the Maine Department of Transportation.

Ryan Wingard, an engineer from the Topsham firm, explained the project at a public hearing.

New sidewalks are planned along the south side of Nash Street, which is the location of the RSU 10 central offices and the East Campus of Dirigo High School, and up Route 142, also known as Weld Street, along the west side to the middle school.

Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said estimates came in at nearly $250,000 using asphalt curbing, and $314,000 with granite curbing.

He said the remaining funding will come from in-kind work by the town or by raising money through the town. The project could also be cut back, he said.

“Selectmen will decide what path to take,” Skibitsky said.

The final design should be ready for review by the end of the year, with a starting date scheduled for 2013.

In addition to a new sidewalk along a portion of Weld Street, the plan also calls for paving the shoulder.

“That’s an added benefit,” Skibitsky said. “It will make a real nice biking area.”

Detailed drawings of the plan are on display in the community room of Ludden Memorial Library. Homeowners along the proposed sidewalk route are encouraged to review them, he said.