Construction of an extension that will connect the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail with CU-ICAR could begin this year.
On Monday, Greenville City Council gave initial approval to contribute $2.5 million for a new southern section of the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail. The funds are contingent on the county building pedestrian bridges over Laurens Road, Haywood Road and Verdae Boulevard, according to city documents.
Called the Greenlink Greenway, the project would connect Cleveland Park and the trail to CU-ICAR using a former freight rail corridor controlled by the Greenville County Economic Development Corp. The remainder of the extension would be built on trail easements granted to Greenville County by private landowners.
Since 2006, the city has invested $8 million in the planning and construction of the trail within the city limits, and “the city and county wish to continue their collaboration to expand the popular Swamp Rabbit Trail for use by local citizens and visitors,” according to documents.
If Greenville County builds the required bridges and executes a contract to construct the trail before Dec. 31, 2016, the city will supply the $2.5 million from tourism related funds during the next two financial years.
The city will use $1 million that had been appropriated in this year’s budget for another project that would have extended the trail from Cleveland Street to Lake Conestee, and another $1.5 million that would have been earmarked for the project during the next fiscal year.
City and county officials said they still want to expand the Swamp Rabbit Trail to Lake Conestee.
The 4.2-mile project is expected to cost $6.35 million.
