BEREA, Ky. – Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman awarded $967,574 today to the City of Berea for a new 10-foot, 2/3 mile long shared use trail along Scaffold Cane Road. The funding comes from two grant sources: $842,574 from the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and $125,000 from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP).

The trail will connect downtown Berea and the campus of Berea College to the residential area immediately south of town. In addition, the city plans to widen the existing culvert 8 to 10 feet, increasing the trail’s pedestrian safety.

“This project will bring some of the best parts of Berea – its exciting downtown area, its incredible college and one of its neighborhoods – even closer together,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “It’s going to help families and students stay healthy and safe, have fun together and enjoy all their city has to offer.”

Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley said the funding will allow the city to construct a 10-foot-wide shared-use trail along the west side of Scaffold Cane Road from Logston Lane and Prospect Street. All of the design work has been completed, so the project will be out to bid quickly.

“Construction of this long overdue shared use trail will help provide pedestrians, bicyclists and joggers with a safe route where there is currently no sidewalk,” Fraley said. “For as long as I can remember, Bereans who live in the Logston Lane and Elm Street area had to walk in the grass and cross a narrow bridge to get into town when walking or on a bicycle. This project will allow us to create a pedestrian way on the outside of the bridge over Brushy Fork Creek, which will greatly enhance safety while creating a recreational benefit.

Scaffold Cane Shared Use Trail will intersect with Boone Trace Trail, a segment of Boone Trace, which was blazed by Daniel Boone in 1775, to create connectivity with existing trails, which include the Artisan Trail, Prospect Street Trail, Sun Trail, Elm Street connector and Indian Fort Trail.

“As Berea College president this is especially good news,” Berea College President Dr. Lyle D. Roelofs said. “Faculty, staff and students who walk or cycle to and from our campus along Scaffold Cane Road will be much safer. I run that route myself, so I am delighted personally, too.”

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