Partnerships<\/b> \u2014 FHWA continued its cooperative agreement with PNTS to perform a two year gap analysis and corridor protection research project. An agreement was completed with BLM for a methodology to develop an inventory and monitoring program for trails. Cooperative agreements with American Trails for National Trails Training and with The Corps Network for youth workforce development continued.<\/p>\n
Funding <\/b>\u2014 FHWA provided Federal-aid highway funds, especially through the Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside and the Recreational Trails Program, to eligible trail projects selected by the States. Samples funded or completed in 2020:<\/p>\n
Alaska funded two projects for the Iditarod NHT to brush and resurface trail sections, install trailhead and waypoint signs, and improve trail tread and drainage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Alaska Trails and partners are creating a trail from Fairbanks to Seward\u2014connecting communities and supporting jobs and businesses along the route.<\/p>\n Colorado funded the Continental Divide Trail Coalition to reroute a section of trail to eliminate erosion, trail braiding, and damage to alpine vegetation along the Monarch Crest Trail, part of the Continental Divide NST.<\/p>\n The Maine Appalachian Trail Club Ridge Runners were trained as Leave No Trace educators\u2014to focus on youth groups and AT \u201cthru-hikers”. They manage campsites, patrol alpine summits, teach hikers to minimize fire impacts, stay on durable surfaces, carry out trash, properly dispose of human waste, and promote AT guidelines and regulations.<\/p>\n North Dakota partnered with the Barnes County Soil Conservation District to develop a trailside facility along the North Country NST which now has a vault toilet and gravel parking area to increase available public services and accessibility.<\/p>\n Virginia funded a project with Prince William County for the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk to create a high-quality through trail to connect Neabsco Regional Park to Leesylvania State Park. This will be the primary connector between the two parks and serve as a connection in the Potomac Heritage NST network in Northern Virginia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Partnerships \u2014 FHWA continued its cooperative agreement with PNTS to perform a two year gap analysis and corridor protection research project. An agreement was completed with BLM for a methodology to develop an inventory and monitoring program for trails. Cooperative agreements with American Trails for… <\/p>\n