In Tampa, work is complete on the first phase of Courtney Campbell Trail.
The first segment of the trail, which was opened since early September, is a nearly 6-mile section from Rocky Point Road to the Hillsborough County line, including the only motorless bridge over Tampa Bay since the Friendship Trail Bridge, adjacent to the Gandy Bridge, closed in 2008, reports Tampa Bay Times.
Construction on second phase, a 3-mile stretch between the Hillsborough-Pinellas border and Bayshore Boulevard in Clearwater, is scheduled to begin in January.
Once completed, the trail will connect to several nearby recreational areas in both counties, yoking a growing network of pedestrian trails.Built by the Florida Department of Transportation for $14.6 million, the project was funded by federal enhancement money set aside for pedestrian projects.
Hillsborough County invested $1.2 million for benches, shade structures, bike racks and other amenities along the trail. Tampa is building and will maintain restrooms and a concession stand at Ben T. Davis Beach that are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
