The Federal Highway Administration recently awarded more than $8.3 million in Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program grants to 29 improvement projects in 21 counties throughout West Virginia.
The West Virginia Department of Transportation administered the program.
Funding is used to help communities improve their network of recreational trails, biking/walking paths, and sidewalks.
“This program will provide millions of dollars that is going to be put to work making our cities and towns easier to get around and making our beautiful park trails even more appealing and accessible to West Virginians of all abilities,” Gov. Jim Justice said. “These projects will also draw tourism and visitation to new destinations all throughout our state, and the positive economic ripple effects will be off the charts.”
A total of 18 grants were awarded to transportation alternatives projects, and 11 were awarded to recreational trails projects. Grants were awarded between $20,000 and $1.08 million.
Awardees include:
The city of Martinsburg in Berkeley County received $1.08 million for North Queen Street Streetscape Improvements Phase 3. The project includes the construction of approximately 1,600 linear feet of sidewalk.
The village of Barboursville in Cabell County received $933,665 for the Barboursville Pedestrian Bicycle Path. The project includes the construction of approximately 3,900 linear feet of a bicycle-pedestrian path.