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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $21.4 Million for Construction of Ecusta Rail Trail Connecting to Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina as Part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda

Thursday, July 6, 2023

North Carolina Department of Transportation to receive grant under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as part of $130.5 million investment package for seven projects of national significance

FHWA 24b-23
Contact: FHWA.PressOffice@dot.gov(link sends email)
Tel: (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced the award of $21.4 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the Ecusta Rail Trail between the City of Hendersonville and the City of Brevard, which will connect the statewide bike route system with Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville. The project includes construction and completion of the entire Ecusta Rail Trail, an 18.8-mile shared-use path on an abandoned railroad route that will connect the county seats of Henderson and Transylvania Counties in Western North Carolina to Pisgah National Forest.

“Under President Biden’s leadership, we are delivering infrastructure improvements on Federal and Tribal lands that communities have needed for decades,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With today’s announcement, we’re making it easier for Americans to access some of our greatest natural wonders, and improving road safety in Tribal communities, which face some of the highest rates of traffic deaths in the nation.”

The project is one of seven to receive federal grants totaling $130.5 million under FHWA’s Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Transportation Projects Program. The grants announced today – which recognize transportation projects of national significance that serve Federal and Tribal lands – are part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to rebuild our infrastructure and deliver big wins for the American people.

“With this grant that is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we’re helping to deliver safe and reliable transportation investments that will help families and visitors explore key destinations in North Carolina such as Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “The Ecusta Rail Trail will provide an excellent opportunity for pedestrians, bicyclists and others to enjoy the great outdoors, while also providing climate-friendly connections to local communities and other destinations throughout the region.”

In addition to the grants announced today, FHWA also opened applications for the next round of funding under the Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Transportation Projects Program. More information about the availability of $88 million in FY 2023 funds can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Information on how to apply is available at Grants.gov.

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