DelDOT and DNREC announced Thursday that the final phase of construction on the Michael N. Castle Trail project along the C&D Canal will begin next month.
The final portion of the trail, named for the former First State governor and congressman, will extend from Guthrie Run in the east to the Maryland border. The completed 16-mile trail will stretch all the way from Delaware City to Chesapeake City in Maryland.
Eric Ludwig, a regional wildlife manager for DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, says the trail named for a former Delaware governor will be different than other First State trails.
“This one is definitely unique by the overall length of it and that it connects the two areas,” he says. “It’s also paved so it provides a very good area for bikers and runners.”
Ludwig adds that based on how many people have already visited the other sections of the trail in the past year, he is optimistic about its popularity once finished.
“We have counters installed to count the number of uses and we’ve got about 23,000 uses,” he says. “I think once it gets completed we’ll end up seeing a lot more use.”
The final phase of the Castle Trail will cost about $190,000 and is expected to be completed within 75 days once construction begins next month. The completed trail will feature benches, restrooms and parking areas.
The total cost of the trail will come in at a little more than $3 million.