Over $3 million is being pumped into a Wilmington trail project designed to improve connectivity and safety.
City Manager Becky Hawke in September was authorized to enter into an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to receive $2,681,347 in federal funds from the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for utility relocation and construction of the Kerr Avenue Trail Project.
The Kerr Avenue Trail will provide a 10-foot wide, multiuse path on the east side of Kerr Avenue from Patrick Drive to Fountain Drive, on the north side of Fountain Drive, and on the west side of North College Road to Hoggard Drive. At Hoggard Drive it will connect to an existing crosswalk that will provide a safe crossing of College Road to University
of North Carolina Wilmington and the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail.
The project is a priority in the planning organization’s 2009 Walk Wilmington Plan, to be included in the current transportation bond as part of the Wilmington/New Hanover County Comprehensive Greenway Plan.
The grant money is to come from the planning organization’s Surface Transportation Block Grant - Direct Attributable Funds program, which provides funding for locally administered projects, including bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
A 20% match of $670,337 is required from the city for a total of $3,351,684. The city said the project budget has sufficient funding to cover the required local match.
The increase in project funding is intended to cover anticipated construction and related costs, according to the city.
On Sept. 9, 2025, the Wilmington City Council approved applying for the grant, and the city was notified Nov. 21, 2025, that the planning organization’s board voted to award the funding.
Bob Liepa is the city of Wilmington and public safety reporter for the StarNews. You can reach him at RLiepa@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington trail project receives big boost in funding
