Branford's improved link on the Shoreline Greenway Trail (SGT) is on the brink of completion at the town's Tabor property.

The final phase, chipsealing to allow for comfortable travel including handicapped, wheelchair access, is getting underway, SGT's Branford team member, Judy Miller, told The Sound.

On July 7, SGT took a test spin on the fourth-tenths of a mile, ten-foot wide trail section on July 7 accompanied by a group on foot, including the four-legged variety, as dogs are welcome on the trail.

"We love dogs, carriages, cyclists, hikers; and it's also totally handicapped accessible for wheelchair access to nature," said Miller of the Tabor segment of the SGT.

Motorized vehicles are not allowed on any SGT trail segments.

The goal of SGT is create a more bikeable, walkable shoreline by connecting as many trail segments as possible between New Haven and Madison, allowing for people to safely walk, jog, bike or push a stroller between towns or even commute by bicycle. All-volunteer, non-profit SGT has four town teams (East Haven, Branford, Guilford and Madison) spearheading efforts in their respective towns. Currently, about three miles of SGT sections are open in East Haven, Branford and Madison, according to the SGT website.

Improvements to the SGT Tabor section include work at both trailheads. Parking improvements, made by the Town of Branford, are at the entrances off Tabor Drive and Pine Orchard Road, including handicapped parking recently installed on Tabor Drive. On Pine Orchard Road, the state has installed a new pedestrian/cyclist crossing where new traffic signage and a painted walkway connects the Tabor section to SGT's Birch Road trails and beyond. 

A new trail kiosk has been constructed at the Tabor Drive entrance, which is being watched over by a family of osprey nesting in a large tree, Miller noted. In addition to birding and other activities which can be enjoyed on the trail section, the segment takes visitors past scenic Chet's Pond, named in honor of Chet Blomquist, a trailblazer for the Branford SGT team and the founder of a 28-mile walking trail along Branford's perimeter.

While "Trail Closed" signs are up right now and the trail is technically not open, the improved trail segment has been attracting visitors. Miller said SGT expects it should be open for use by the first week of August. She also shared that SGT has just locked in the date of a grand opening celebration for the trail section, set for Saturday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. Among the honored guests will be local leaders and U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, who helped secure funds to cover the costs of the trail improvements.

The trail link between Tabor Drive and Pine Orchard Road is a project of the Town of Branford, using federal funds awarded to build the Shoreline Greenway Trail that are administered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The construction cost for the project is approximately $460,000; of which 80 percent are covered by federal grant money and 20 has been matched by SCT through state grants. The Town of Branford has provided the expertise and time of Town Engineer Janice Plaziak and the Assistant Town Engineer, who have managed the project from design to construction, provided construction administration and inspection services for the project meeting Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) standards, said Plaziak.

Design costs of approximately $150,000, with the same split of funding sources as well as some charges to the project for CTDOT staff costs, are not included in the $460,000 figure, Plaziak noted.

For more information on Shoreline Greenway Trail visit https://shorelinegreenwaytrail.org