On a 27 November 2010 visit to the Four Freedoms Rail Trail north of Madison, Florida, I discovered that after years of promises and rumors, the trail is being extended southward into Madison. Over six miles of new trail has been graded between Madison and Hanson and the blacktop can't be far behind. I saw one pair of cyclists who couldn't wait for the pavement; they were already pedaling the freshly graded dirt of the extension.
The current trail stretches five-and-a-half miles from Hanson north through Pinetta and on to the Withlachoochee River and the Florida-Georgia state line. When the addition is complete, the trail will be just over twelve miles from Madison to the Withlacoochee. The new trail construction is part of a Florida Department of Transportation project to improve and resurface State Road 145, the Colin Kelly Highway. Most of the new section of trail will run along the east side of SR 145; just south of Hanson it will cross to the west side of the highway where it will meet up with the existing trail on the north side of Hanson.
With a new southern terminus in Madison, just off of US Highway 90, the extended Four Freedoms Trail will be more accessible than before when the only trailheads were in relatively remote Hanson and Pinetta. A twelve-mile trail should also attract a wider range of cyclists than the current five-and-a-half mile trail, pulling in more tourists with bike racks. With views of farming country alternating with stretches of woodland, the new trail will be worth exploring just for the scenery. Stay alert for news that the trail is ready for rolling.Links:
- 2008 Trouble Afoot! report on the Four Freedoms Trail
http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2008/12/four-freedoms-trail-madison-florida.html - More photos of the trail under construction
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3038795&id=5215641&l=aa39cf020d
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