“A big thank you to the entire Florida state legislature and bill sponsor Senator Andy Gardiner for approving $15.5 million for the Coast to Coast Connector Trail in this recent legislative session. The money will help fill in the gaps in the planned 275 miles of unbroken bicycle path stretching from St. Petersburg to the Canaveral Seashore.
Along with the $15.5 million, Sen. Andy Gardiner moved bill language in transportation bill SB218 which permanently authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to use state trust funds to build bicycle and pedestrian trails in cooperation with the Florida Greenways and Trails Council.
Last year, Governor Scott vetoed $50 million to fund the Coast to Coast project, but has been fully supportive this year, even participating in a groundbreaking ceremony for a $3.6 million trail in Titusville last October. Following this action of the legislature we look forward to Governor Scott’s continued support of this program as the bill goes to his desk. It is unprecedented that Senator Gardiner was able to push this project through in two years, and news coverage all over the state has been extremely supportive. Positioned as economic growth and eco-tourism, the Coast to Coast Connector is the first project of its kind in the nation. Again, a big thank you to Senator Gardiner and the Florida House and Senate legislators!”
To follow the news on Coast-to-Coast: http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8b837b5e6573b389f89688703&id=f1316baeaf&e=6dee64b360
