Anniston, AL – The City of Anniston invited residents and visitors to join them for a historic moment last Friday, April 12, 2024, as they celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for the Chief Ladiga Trail Extension at Michael Tucker Park, located at 6514 Weaver Road in Anniston, Alabama.
The extension of Anniston’s trail will span an additional 6.5 miles, expanding the Chief Ladiga Trail’s total length to approximately 39.5 miles. Once completed, it will seamlessly connect Anniston’s Multimodal Amtrak Station to Georgia’s Silver Comet Trail, creating the longest paved pedestrian pathway in the United States, covering an expansive 105+/- mile stretch. This visionary project promises exciting prospects for trail bike enthusiasts and commuters, offering seamless access to convenient train services.
City officials emphasize that access to the trail will be restricted during the construction period, estimated to last 14 months with a projected completion date in Summer 2025. Regular construction updates will be provided to the public as the project progresses.
The Chief Ladiga Trail represents Alabama’s pioneering rails-to-trails endeavor, linking the cities of Anniston, Weaver, Jacksonville, and Piedmont across Calhoun and Cleburne Counties. Providing a safe, motor-free avenue for travel, exercise, and leisure amidst scenic landscapes of streams, wetlands, forests, and mountains, the trail caters to families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Research from Jacksonville State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research forecasts that the trail’s construction will stimulate an economic output of $11.9 million. Upon completion, the center estimates an annual economic impact exceeding $1.3 million, based on the substantial visitation rate of over 34,000 visitors in 2023.
The Ladiga Trail’s inception dates back to 1990, with the approval of a grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). Named after a Creek Indian leader who signed the Cusseta Treaty in 1832, additional grants in 1994 facilitated its expansion. In 1997, National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) grants were awarded to Jacksonville and Anniston to construct connecting trailways. Weaver’s 2.5-mile section was completed in 1998.
In 2008, the Chief Ladiga Trail and the Silver Comet Trail were joined, marked by a gateway at the Alabama-Georgia state line. Anniston’s recent acquisition of the final 1.4 miles needed for the extension paved the way for the groundbreaking ceremony. On February 20, 2024, the Anniston City Council awarded the construction bid to B&B Developers for $7,267,263.39.
For More Information:
– Ladiga Webpage: www.annistonal.gov/chief-ladiga
– Drone Tour: https://tinyurl.com/yn395ztx
– Tourism Video: https://tinyurl.com/4chu8rss
