ST. GEORGES – Senator Coons joined other Delaware leaders on September 1 to announce funding and plans for construction of a recreation trail along the Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) Canal. Present at the event were U.S. Senator Tom Carper, U.S. Rep. John Carney, former U.S. Rep. Mike Castle, Governor Jack Markell, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara, Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt, Army Corps of Engineers District Commander Lt. Colonel Philip M. Secrist Ill, Federal Highways Administrator for the State of Delaware Hassan Raza and other federal, state and local leaders.
The first phase of the project includes the construction of approximately nine miles of trail on the north side of the canal from Delaware City to just beyond Summit Marina and has a budget of $4.2 million. Groundbreaking will take place next spring and construction is anticipated to take up to one year.
“Developing a shared-use recreational trail along the C&D Canal will not only create a wonderful place for Delawareans to exercise and have fun, but will be a boom to local businesses,” Chris said. “Quite a few Delawareans, including former Congressman Mike Castle, have worked hard over the last seven years to create this greenway, and I’m pleased that today we’re able to announce such a significant step forward in turning this idea into a reality. The C&D Canal is an amazing resource and I look forward to the day when my family and I can join others in safely exploring the beauty of the C&D Canal thanks to the new recreation trail.”
The C&D Canal Recreational Trail represents the vision of a broad array of Delawareans and will be a unique resource for the First State. Not only will the initial construction of nine miles of trail serve to create jobs in the short-term, but its long-term presence will link communities whose shops and restaurants will be a destination for the hikers, bicyclists, joggers, horseback riders, anglers, and students who visit the trail. At a time when concerns about health and wellness are increasingly becoming part of our national dialogue, this project will help kids and families to be more active outdoors. This greenway will be a valuable asset to residents living in southern New Castle County communities like Delaware City, Odessa, Townsend, Middletown, and Summit.
Once completed, the trail will highlight Delaware’s natural beauty as well as the historical and contemporary importance of the C&D Canal to both Delaware and our national economy. The canal has been an important conduit for trade in our region since the 1830s, and it remains one of the busiest working canals in the world, serving the ports of Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, and Camden, New Jersey. Visitors to the canal will not only enjoy the beauty of the canal, but will also see the nearly 1000 foot container ships that travel through Delaware on a daily basis carrying cargo from around the world.
After seven years, the allocation of funds for this project represents government at its best – working to help improve the quality of life for Delawareans. The Delaware Congressional Delegation, including former Congressman Mike Castle, worked closely with Governor Markel, the Delaware General Assembly, other Delaware officials, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Highway Administration, and a variety of nongovernmental groups to help make the C&D Recreational Trail a reality. This type of collaboration that ultimately yields results is what Delawareans expect and deserve from their elected officials.