New legislation from U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-Manchester) will work towards securing funding to connect more than 50 multi-use trails equaling more than 380 miles between Manchester and Concord.
According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, the 52 trails follow abandoned railroad lines with stops along renovated “depots” and go over remnants of stone bridges to provide “glimpses into the past.”
“New Hampshire’s rail trails help knit communities together, support recreation and bolster local economies. I’ve introduced legislation to provide funding to connect trail systems and revitalize active transportation infrastructure throughout the country,” Pappas said in a July 23 Tweet.
The largest stretch without trails is between Manchester and Concord. When the Granite State Rail Trail is completed, it will connect the two and allow people to ride across the state, the Union Leader reported.
The Granite State Rail Trail is a 125-mile off-road trail between Salem and Lebanon, and it is the first trail the state is looking to connect. Future plans are in the works to connect trails in Manchester to all of New Hampshire through a network of trails and greenways, according to the Union Leader.
Currently, the non-connected trails are not only accessible to bicyclists, but are also intended for runners, walkers, horseback riders and cross-country skiers during the wintertime.
