DCNR, Local Officials Announce Grant To Design Rail Trail River Crossing In Clinton County

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and local officials Monday announced grant funding for the design and engineering for the rehabilitation of a former railroad bridge for use as a multi-use trail in Clinton County.

A total investment of $84,700 in the project will support the engineering and design of the bridge rehabilitation over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River on the Clinton County Rail Trail in Lock Haven.

“To meet a goal of providing a trail within 15 minutes of every Pennsylvanian we are working throughout the state to close major trail gaps,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “We are happy to assist the county with support for the design phase to help close this trail gap, and connect the Clinton County Rail Trail to the Pine Creek Rail Trail.”

The state investment will allow the county to conduct field inspections, engineering design, utility coordination, and construction planning for the pedestrian and bike bridge across the West Branch to eventually connect Lock Haven to Jersey Shore.

The bridge rehabilitation when completed will create never-before-seen views of the Susquehanna River.

Trail systems draw regional visitors, get people outdoors, promote healthy exercise, and connect public spaces.

In Pennsylvania, outdoor recreation generates $29.1 billion in consumer spending, $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue, $8.6 billion in wages and salaries, and sustains 251,000 direct Pennsylvania jobs.

DCNR Grant Workshops

To learn more about other available grant opportunities to support trail and recreation projects, attend one of the upcoming workshops on DCNR’s Community Conservation Grant Program.  Click Here for more.

          A new grant round is opening soon.

          For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

(Photo: DCNR Deputy Secretary Lauren Imgrund.)