A feasibility study will soon be under way to explore establishing a bike trail from Vicksburg to Natchez along power line right of ways owned by Entergy following Monday’s approval of a $2,000 contribution toward the study by the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Bill Seratt, Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, told the board the proposed trail would greatly enhance the local portion of the Mississippi River Trail — a recreational trail that follows the Mississippi River through 10 states, from its headwaters in Minnesota to near the river’s mouth south of New Orleans.

The local portion of the MRT encompasses roadways with high vehicle traffic, such as U.S. 61 and Halls Ferry Road, that are not very accommodating for cyclists. A more scenic trail away from motorized traffic “is appealing to cyclists for both the ruggedness of the terrain, but also for the safety,” said Seratt, who was joined by Warren County Port Commission Director Wayne Mansfield in asking for the $2,000.

“We’re seeing more and more traffic” on the local MRT route, said Seratt. “It’s like one of those bucket list type things, where cyclists want to ride the entire route.”

Terry Eastin, MRT executive director, said the feasibility study should be complete in about six months and will be followed by an environmental impact study that will begin if the trail is found to be feasible. The feasibility study will cost $22,500, said Eastin, and will be paid for by Entergy, aided by $2,000 contributions from Vicksburg, Claiborne County, Hinds County and the Natchez-Adams County Development Authority.

Along with Entergy, the MRT is also working with the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to link the national bike trail with national parks and wildlife refuges, Eastin said. If the new trail becomes a reality and the Vicksburg National Military Park were tied in, Eastin said it would become a showcase section.

“It would be one of our signature routes,” she said. “Our signature routes are those along which we’ve created something for the community that we are certain is going to boost tourism, provide a great rider experience, impact economic development and promote healthy living.”

Eastin said the MRT route through Vicksburg and Warren County “is not a primary route of ours because there is such a high amount of traffic.” However, she added the area has a high likelihood of benefiting from a new route.

“There have been some economic studies done there that indicate a major trail system would probably be the best opportunity to support economic development in that region,” she said of Vicksburg and Warren County. 

Whether the new trail from Vicksburg to Natchez becomes a reality will depend on the feasibility study and subsequent environmental impact study. However, Eastin said the project will mostly hinge on the reauthorization of the federal highway bill, which provides grant funding for transportation enhancements and is set to expire this year. The federal grants would require a 20 percent local match, but Eastin said the donation of rights of way from Entergy would count as an in-kind match.

“Our hope is by the end of the year that new bill will be in place,” said Eastin. “If that happens, the new funding will be in place next year and we will begin preparing communities to apply for transportation enhancement funding in 2011 or 2012.”

By Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com