RTC QUARTERLY REPORT
Biden Administration Signals Trails Are Fundamental to Safe, Equitable Communities
Maine’s Eastern Trail Selected by National Vote for Rail-Trail Hall of Fame
New Study Illustrates the Economic Potential of the Great American Rail-Trail
Detroit’s Joe Louis Greenway Inspires Community-Led Trail Building in Wisconsin
California Approves an Additional $1 Billion+ for Trails, Walking and Biking
What We’ve Been Up To
Biden Administration Signals Trails Are Fundamental to Safe, Equitable Communities The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently published a proposed rule that provides a leveraging tool to encourage states and regional planning entities to invest in sustainable transportation projects such as trails and active transportation networks. The rule would require state departments of transportation (DOTs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to establish performance measures for greenhouse-gas emission (GGE) reductions from the transportation sector—essentially, that they set goals for GGE reductions and then track progress toward meeting those goals. Some DOTs have objected to the rule, claiming it imposes restrictions on how they spend infrastructure bill funds. If passed, however, the rule would do much to encourage the development of transportation infrastructure that could greatly reduce America’s carbon footprint in the long term. RTC is urging all trail supporters to submit comments supporting the proposed rule and help ensure the FHWA publishes a final rule supporting sustainable transporta- tion solutions. Learn more at rtc.li/ gge-proposed or rtc.li/gge-rule .
public vote this summer alongside two other exemplary nominees— Alaska’s Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and Missouri’s Grant’s Trail—which were selected for merits including outstanding scenic value, high use, amenities, historical significance and community value. The developing 65-mile Eastern Trail welcomes 250,000 people each year along Southern Maine’s coastline and dense forests and features a famous light- house called the Bug Light, the 3,000-acres-plus Scarborough Marsh and a 7-mile stretch of sandy beach. It is critical to two developing trail networks: the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway and the 560-miles-and-growing New England Rail-Trail Network. A recent economic impact study of the Eastern Trail found that it delivers $44.6 million in annual benefits and supports 364 jobs across the state. Learn more about the trail in “A View From ... ” on p. 19 or online at railstotrails.org/ halloffame.
will contribute $161 million to the GDP/year (although the authors affirm that investment and support by communities that host the trail are critical for this potential to be fully realized). It’s also estimated that the Great American will sup- port around 25,000 jobs over the next 10 years. RTC estimates that the project will cost approximately $1 billion to complete—an invest- ment that will be recouped within five years by direct visitor spend - ing along the route. Learn more: rtc.li/grt-impact .
a focus on how safe walking and bicycling trails can benefit local residents and reconnect communi- ties historically divided by busy interstates. Eventually, the Route of the Badger will connect seven coun- ties in Southeast Wisconsin. Learn more: r ailstotrails.org/badger .
Contact: Willie Karidis, willie@railstotrails.org.
California Approves an Additional $1 Billion+ for Trails, Walking and Biking In June, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a $308 billion state budget bill allocating an additional $1 billion+ to the Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6. This additional funding— pulled from the general fund surplus—will bring the total funds available for Cycle 6 applications (which cover four years of allocations) to $1.65 billion. The allocation is a huge win for trails in California—providing the opportunity for dozens of additional trail and active transportation projects to be supported while helping the state meet ambitious greenhouse- gas reduction targets. ATP applications are currently in review, with results expected in December. Demand for safe walking and bicycling infrastructure continues to increase, with Cycle 6 receiving 432 applications (as of mid-June) totaling $3.1 billion—a $1 billion increase over the last funding cycle. RTC’s Western Regional Office continues to work with partners across California to advocate for increased permanent, long-term funding for trails and
Contact: Kevin Belanger, kevinb@railstotrails.org. Detroit’s Joe Louis Greenway Inspires Community-Led Trail Building in Wisconsin
In June, partners from Wisconsin’s developing 700-mile Route of the
Badger trail network converged with trail advocates and active transportation experts in Detroit to learn more about the community-led inspiration and trail development work behind the in-progress 27.5-mile Joe Louis Greenway. The trail, whose development is being guided by residents and local leaders— and which will eventually make larger connections to Michigan’s statewide trail network and eventually Canada—is anticipated to serve as an economic boon to help revitalize neglected areas along the route. View a video about the trail in Rails to Trails’ 2022 Green Issue: rtc.li/joe-louis-gway . Earlier this year, Northwest Milwaukee organizations kickstart- ed a two-year, community-driven equitable-trail-development pro- cess to create a 7.25-mile trail along the 30th Street Corridor, with
Contact: Suzanne Matyas, suzanne@railstotrails.org.
New Study Illustrates the Economic Potential of the Great American Rail-Trail In May, Headwaters Economics, in partnership with RTC, released the results of a study on the 3,700- mile developing Great American Rail-Trail ® , estimating that the trail could generate more than $229.4 million in spending annually, including $22.8 million in new tax revenue and more than 25.6 million annual trips. The analysis looked at the trail’s potential to bring visitors, busi- nesses, spending, jobs income and tax revenue to communities along the route, and found that the trail
Contact: Patrick Wojahn, patrick@railstotrails.org.
Maine’s Eastern Trail Selected by National Vote for Rail-Trail Hall of Fame In August, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy announced Maine’s Eastern Trail as the 2022 inductee into the national Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. The trail was chosen by
active transportation. Contact: Laura Cohen, laura@railstotrails.org.
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FALL 2022 RAILS TO TRAILS
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