Anniston agrees to fund completion of the Chief Ladiga Trail

The city of Anniston approved funding the construction of the last leg of the nationally renowned Chief Ladiga Trail.

In a 4-1 vote by the Anniston City Council, the city agreed last night to accept the bid to complete the trail.

Longest pedestrian path in U.S.

Established in 1996, the Chief Ladiga Trail was created from railroad lines that had been transformed into a 33-mile-long walking and biking trail. 

The trail spans from Anniston to the Alabama-Georgia state line and connects to the Silver Comet Trail in Georgia, making it one of the longest paved pedestrian paths in North America at around 100 miles in length. 

Chief Ladiga  and Anniston’s economic future

“I believe that the city’s future economic development is contingent upon completion of this trail. This will be not only an economic boon for Anniston businesses and regional businesses but also a boon to our general fund via sales tax revenue.”

~ Anniston Mayor Jack Draper

A study in 2021 by the  Jacksonville State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research predicts the trail construction will add nearly $2 million to Anniston’s regional gross state product. 

Have you walked or cycled the Chief Ladiga Trail? Tell us your favorite memory on social media by tagging us at @Thebamabuzz