Wilmington gets more than $500K to complete Cross City Trail | News

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – In order to complete construction of the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail, the City of Wilmington received $555,000 from BlueCross BlueShield NC, according to a press release from a city spokesperson.

Wilmington was selected as one of three cities statewide that BCBSNC chose to help fund for biking and greenway projects.

The funding was made possible through BCBSNC's program that encourages NC residents to become healthy, Get Outside North Carolina!

With the funding, the final phase of the trail will be finished that goes from John D. Barry Drive on South 17th Street to Wade Park off of Waltmoor Road.

"As part of an arrangement with BCBS, the city agreed to provide funding for the remainder of the project, which is expected to come from the Parks Bond, as well as other grants and gifts," said the spokesperson in a statement. "The entire 15-mile trail will be fully funded following acceptance of this gift. The city has already received $4 million in federal funding and more than $1 million in state funds for the trail."

So far, about 11 miles of the trail are finished. When the project reaches its completion, the trail will be about 15 miles long.

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