The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly has approved a contract for a road leading to new cross country ski trails in the Hatcher Pass area.

The Assembly Tuesday night authorized spending for the mountain road. The road construction is supported by $3.3 million in federal money. The Assembly approved up to $218,465 for a parking lot.

The ski area will be about 10 miles from Independence Mine State Historical Park.

The new road, to be called Ullr's Trail, will run north off of Edgerton Park Road, which branches off from Hatcher Pass Road.

Volunteers over the summer cleared brush and trees for future nordic trails. Trail construction will begin over the summer. Borough public affairs director Patty Sullivan says skiers could be on trails by November.