Eastern Kentucky tourism officials are banking on additional revenue from the extension of the Dawkins Line Rail Trail. Currently, the 18 mile recreational route runs from Hagerhill in Johnson County to Royalton in Magoffin County.
The second phase, which will run nine miles long, will take the trail to the Breathitt County line. Main Street Paintsville Director Bonnie Porter says the trail extension will likely be popular with cyclists.
Porter says a three day biking event held in London, Barbourville, and Richmond may be a sign of things to come. "Their first year they had 23. This past year they had over 1,000 visitors that came and did and obviously the economic impact was tremendous. We had our first one and we thought maybe if we got 40 people to enter we were doing really well. We actually had 90," said Porter.
Porter says it will take some time to see significant economic benefits from the Dawkins Line Rail Trail extension. She admits not everyone has been on board with the rails to trails project. "There were a lot of people who actually did not want the trail but, you know, it's here and here to stay so therefore we can have an opportunity. Not everybody wanted the trail. I agree totally. But, it's here. It's an asset to us," added Porter.
The $1.5 million state funded project should be completed by next summer. ?
