The St. Mary’s Board of County Commissioners have announced that the county has been awarded over $1 million in Transportation Enhancement Funds and $470,00 in Maryland Bikeways Program funds.  St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks received the funding through the state of Maryland, which will be used for the development of the Three Notch Trail.

“Development of the County’s railroad right-of-way into a hiking, biking and equestrian trail will provide numerous recreational, tourism and transportation opportunities, said Commissioner President Jack Russell. “These funds will cover more than 50% of the construction costs for Phase VI and help us promote the health and recreational benefits of walking, running and biking.”

Phase VI of the trail will run about five miles, from MD 5 in Mechanicsville to MD 236 in New Market. Design and engineering for Phase VI is currently underway and construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2013. When completed, the trail will link the Laurel Grove and Charlotte Hall sections, for a total of 11 miles in the northern part of the county.

For more information about the Three Notch Trail, contact the Department of Recreation and Parks at 301.475.4200 ext. 1811.