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Building the Singing River Trail 101

Have you ever wondered how a trail, like the Singing River Trail, comes to life? Let us take you behind the scenes of the trail-building process. Learn how a vision becomes reality!

The Vision

The vision for the Singing River Trail was born out of the Launch 2035 Initiative and from North Alabamians who care about the region’s future. Project branding, an economic impact analysis, and the master plan itself were funded by over 30 separate entities, organizations and individuals who are committed to the project and what it means for the region.

Why invest in trails?

From boosting tourism and small businesses to increasing property values and job opportunities, trail systems are powerful economic engines. Every mile of trail brings in outdoor enthusiasts who shop, dine, and stay local.

Public Engagement

The Singing River Trail isn’t just a path—it’s a community effort. Our Master Plans reflect input from over a dozen communities, ensuring the trail serves everyone. The master planning process included the Launch 2035 Land Use Committee, representatives from all the counties and municipalities of the region, and other key stakeholders and agencies.
Residents are engaged through public meetings, public websites, social media, and other meetings. A framework for the development of trails is established. A Master Plan identifies the trail routing, identifies a phased approach, provides detail for Phase One projects, and establishes an implementation framework or designing and constructing the trail.

Creating a Master Plan

The routes described in the SRT master plans were developed through a combination of input from the Land Use Committee, municipal and county staff, stakeholders, landowners, and the general public. Given the extent of the route, there will undoubtedly be adjustments to the routing due to cost/funding, landowner considerations, roadway reconstruction, and findings uncovered during full design.
You can find the Original 70 mile Master Plan, the Western Route, and the Athens Action Plan on our website.

Funding the Trail

Trail construction funding comes from a mix of local, state, and federal grants (which involves applications and matching funds)—plus private donors and business partners.

Trail Construction

Trail construction isn’t just about laying down gravel and calling it a day—it’s a carefully phased process that can take years from start to finish. Before construction begins, teams must navigate environmental reviews, land use agreements, and other approvals. Sometimes that includes coordinating with local governments, utility providers, and environmental agencies. This stage can be extensive, but is essential for long-term success.

Types of Trails

The Singing River Trail will be made up of different types of trails, forming the continuous multi-use pathway.
Trail typologies include:
-Off-road: Shared-use path (not in roadway right-of-way), shared-use sidepath (in roadway right of way), and unpaved shared-use path
-On-Road: Two-way separated bikeway with sidewalk, one-way separated bikeway with sidewalk, bicycle boulevards

Master Plans

The Madison/Limestone/Morgan County Master Plan (original 70 miles), The Western Route Master Plan, and the Athens Action Plan can be found by clicking here.

Keep up to date with current and future trails, as well as those under construction on our Find a Trail page.

Find a Trail