In a joint news release, two Western North Carolina legislators have announced the allocation of further funding for the Ecusta Trail.
On Monday, March 14, State Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-District 48) and Rep. Tim Moffitt (R-District 117) announced the allocation of an additional $7.5 million in state dollars toward the building of the trail.
The Ecusta Trail is slated to span roughly 19 miles, transformed from an old, inactive rail line into a multi-use greenway, connecting the hearts of Hendersonville and Brevard.
Edwards said he sees a lot of benefits to building the greenway and saw an opportunity to allocate more funding for it as lawmakers were assembling a budget technical corrections bill last week.
"That's the reason that so many folks have gotten behind this is to provide another way for people to get outdoors, get exercise, fresh air and move about the district," Edwards said. "It's a matter of highest and best use for an asset in our region."
The funding is in addition to the $600,000 previously designated in the state budget for the trail, according to the news release.
"I'm encouraged that we could see bicyclists and walkers out there sooner rather than later," Edwards said.
STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOShttps://wlos.com/news/local/ecusta-trail-gets-75-million-in-additional-state-funding
