Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Legislator Sarah Anker today announced that the North Shore Rail Trail project is the winner of this year’s American Society of Civil Engineers Quality of Life Award. The Quality of Life Award is presented to a project that has improved the quality of life for residents on Long Island. The award was accepted by members from the Suffolk County Department of Public Works.
The North Shore Rail Trail is a 10-mile recreational path that extends from Mt. Sinai to Wading River. The multi-use trail is equipped with various amenities including kiosks at trailheads and quarter-mile markers. The North Shore Rail Trail was built along the Wading River railway line, which was abandoned in 1938 and is now owned by the Long Island Power Authority. There are 36 road crossings and links connecting Mount Sinai, Miller Place, Sound Beach, Rocky Point, Shoreham and Wading River. This project was completed in collaboration with local towns, villages, utilities and our partners at NYSDOT.
“Suffolk County is home to some amazing recreational attractions like our world class beaches, natural parks and countless outdoor activities that attract people from all over the world,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “I am honored that the North Shore Rail Trail has received the Quality of Life Award and I hope that it encourages more people to explore all of the exciting recreational activities Suffolk has to offer.”
Legislator Sarah Anker said: “Since being elected as your Suffolk County Legislator, I’ve worked to facilitate this project that was envisioned 50 years ago. Thanks to the collaboration and commitment of all levels of government, our utility providers and the support of our local community, I am pleased to have this project recognized. This path will not only provide a safer way to recreate, but it also brings the community together and provides economic support for our local businesses. I thank the County Executive, the Department of Public Works, NV5 Engineering, DF Stone Construction and my staff who have been instrumental in the successful completion of North Shore Rail Trail.”
The path provides the opportunity for biking and hiking with multiple access points throughout the corridor. The historic trail allows for an improvement in recreational options for residents as well as promote local tourism throughout Suffolk County and compliments the County Executive’s vision for an interconnected hiking and biking trail network throughout the County.
In an effort to create ecotourism along the trail, community members can access downtown Rocky Point and browse in shops all the way into Mount Sinai. Residents can also stop at the various hamlets to grab a bite to eat with friends and family.
In March 2020, Suffolk County completed its countywide Hike and Bike Master Plan, a comprehensive and coordinated vision for a connected network of hiking and biking trails county-wide to facilitate transportation, recreation, tourism, and economic development. The master plan mapped the existing hiking and biking network, identified the gaps in that network, and developed a plan to prioritize and build out those gaps. The plan recommended over 1,200 miles of bike facilities, placing 84% of Suffolk residents within ½ -mile of a hike or bike facility.
The plan also calls for the completion of a one-mile infrastructure gap between the 3.5-mile Setauket Greenway and the 10-mile North Shore Rail Trail, creating a link from Setauket to Wading River.
The federal government funded 94 percent of the project ($8,320,000) and the County funded the remaining 6 percent ($500,000) for a total project cost of $8,820,000.
