MONTGOMERY — An abandoned railroad bed will soon become a link in a “rails to trails” recreation opportunity in Madison County.
The county commission has received $400,000 to build a 10-foot-wide, 4,750-foot-long multi-use asphalt trail along an abandoned railroad bed between Smokey Hill Court and County Lake Road in an unincorporated area northeast of Huntsville, Gov. Kay Ivey’s office announced.
The funds were among $1.4 million awarded to assist six Alabama communities – five municipalities and one county – in improving outdoor recreational opportunities. They were made available by the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program.
“These projects will benefit people of all ages and provide them with even more reasons to enjoy Alabama’s outdoors,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these grants that will increase recreation opportunities for many residents while making these communities better places to live.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the awards.
“Beyond the benefits of having a way to exercise, a well-used and well-maintained trail casts a positive reflection on a community and its people,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in support of these trail projects.”
