The East Coast Greenway is a 2,600 mile, multi-use, trail serving walkers, bicyclists, equestrians, the physically challenged and other non-motorized users. Considered the "urban equivalent of the Appalachian Trail," this trail traverses urban areas from Portland, Maine to Miami, Florida, passing through sites that showcase our nation's industrial, intellectual, and cultural past.
"When completed, this pathway will contribute to advancing a number of important goals: increasing transportation options, improving air quality, reducing roadway congestion, encouraging ecotourism and adventure travel, local economic development, improving the health of our citizens via recreation and exercise, and helping to connect people and communities," said Senator Collins.
Volunteer and local agencies are currently hard at work on all parts of the route, from Key West, Florida, to Maine's Canadian border at Calais. More than 20 % of the East Coast Greenway is currently in use and another 40% is in various stages of planning, design, or construction. This community-based initiative has received critical support from federal programs administered by the U.S. Departments of Interior and Transportation, the Centers for Disease Control, the EPA and branches of the Armed Services. States along the trail have utilized millions in federal transportation program funding for the design & construction of local trail segments. Additional help is needed, however, to ensure that the vision of completing this trail by 2010 is fulfilled.