A 173-mile trail is being created that will connect Manhattan to Montauk by 2023.
An extension through Long Island on the Empire State Trailwas released earlier this year that will make it possible for people to bike or hike to Montauk from Battery Park! The trail is currently the country’s longest statewide trail, at 750 miles total and “ends” in Battery Park but spans to the Canadian border. However, Long Island was not included in the trail until now.
The idea behind the extension is to “facilitate public engagement around walking, hiking and bicycling on the corridor. This proposed trail alignment will take advantage of utility corridors and existing trails to maximize off-street segments to the greatest extent possible,” according to the Trust for Public Land’s plan. It is being called the “Long Island Greenway.”
The extension will be 175-miles from Battery Park to Montauk with 87 miles on-road and 86 miles off-road. While Empire State Trail is set to be completed by the end of this year, with the extension expected to be completed by 2023.
They have already completed two feasibility studies, conducting detailed ground surveys and analyzing infrastructure, and the rest of the timeline as of now includes:
- Community feedback (2020-2021): they are currently seeking more feedback from residents, business leaders, government officials and more.
- Design and construction (2021-2022): then they will complete remaining environmental surveys and release a comprehensive design for the first 24 miles of the trail.
- Construction (2022-2013): construction will begin (pending funding)