Governor Bill Haslam came to the Chattanooga Pier on Monday to announce a $2.3 million state transportation enhancement grant that will help extend the Tennessee Riverwalk to St. Elmo, where it will connect to the extensive system of Lookout Mountain trails.
Larry Zehnder, city administrator of parks and recreation, said construction is slated to begin on the landscaped and paved trail late this year or early next year.
It will go from the Ross's Landing Marina, by the new Cameron Harbor development, through the Alstom plant and on to PSC Metals and the U.
S. Pipe and Wheland Foundry property.
The trail will use an existing bridge across Chattanooga Creek at Wheland Foundry.
It will use a crosswalk to cross Broad Street and then go between Walgreen's and Gordon's Cleaners before veering toward Lookout Mountain and going through the center one of three railroad underpasses.
The trail will connect with property of the Lookout Mountain Conservancy at Old Wauhatchie Pike.
There will be a trailhead on S. Broad Street at Chattanooga Creek.
Mr. Zehnder said the entire trail will cost about $15 million. He said about $9 million was in hand prior to the awarding of the state grant.
Governor Haslam said it is the largest state enhancement grant awarded this year.