Residents and visitors of Guntersville are enjoying an expanded recreation trail along the eastern portion of the U.S. 431 bridge that now connects to the new City Harbor development.

“Outdoor recreation is becoming increasingly more important to communities and a powerful tool for economic development and enhancing quality of life for residents, said TARCOG Economic Development and Planning Director Lee Terry. “TARCOG is excited anytime we get to assist one of our communities with adding to their inventory of outdoor recreation opportunities for residents of northeast Alabama.”

Guntersville Mayor Leigh Dollar has said the riverfront trail has been well-received and that she saw people on the trail walking and running on the weekends even before the paving was completed.

She said she believes it will be a huge draw for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.

The recently completed $400,000 expansion project began in 2018. TARCOG assisted on the project by helping secure $320,000 in Regional Trails Program funding. The City of Guntersville covered $80,000 of the cost.

Before construction start. the trail was 3.7 miles long. A two-phase extension project involved funding from Alabama Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Regional Trails Program.