As part of our mission to facilitate creation of the Mississippi River Trail, MRT, Inc. played an important role in helping communities and organizations along the river secure SAFETEALU funding in the federal highway transportation bill passed in July, 2005.
From the Paul Bunyan ($1.12 million) and Cedar Lake Trails ($3 million) in Minnesota to the Heritage Trail in Dubuque County, Iowa ($1 million), to converting the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri ($640,000, to aiding in the planning and construction of an MRT bike path in New Orleans ($1.52 million and $400,000 respectively), MRT, Inc. has impacted the Mississippi River corridor in 2005 in a big way! All together, twenty-four MRT, Inc. supported projects in five states received a total of $36,331,500. There is still much to be done. Supporting the planning, coordination and execution of these projects, as well as helping additional communities plan and fund new trails is just one of the many important MRT, Inc. goals. The credit for passage of HR3 (Federal Highway and Transportation Bill from which SAFETEALU derives) belongs to everyone. Advocates, friends, businesses, and other organizations along the corridor and from across America stepped forward to support the SAFETEALU initiative in one powerful voice. Trail projects and trail enthusiasts emerged victorious in their efforts to improve the country’s conservation movement, health initiatives, and economic development.
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