County commission tables discussions of Capitol city to sea loop bike trail

            There could be a major bike path in Franklin County’s future but county commissioners say it will take a lot more study before they give their approval to the plan.

The bike path would be a part of a 120 to 150 mile trail called the Capitol city to sea loop connecting Tallahassee, St. Marks, Medart and Sopchoppy and possibly extending into Franklin County.

The path would go along state roads as well as use parts of the old Georgia, Florida, and Alabama railroad.

Parts of the path are already complete – one section along the Ochlocknee Bay is already being widely used.

The proposed Franklin County section, however, is still in the earliest stages of planning, and needs county approval to move forward.

On Tuesday the county commission heard from one of the project planners who asked that the county commission sign off on a resolution of support so that they could begin the process of scoping out the path in Franklin County.

County commissioners were generally agreeable to the plan, Commissioner Pinki Jackel said she knows that bike paths can be a major benefit to areas where they are built, but they did have some questions.

Commissioner Jackel expressed concerns about the potential costs to the county – she said she wants to make sure the county isn’t liable for any costs before she votes for the resolution.

Commission chairman Cheryl sanders said she is also concerned about the potential impact the trail could have on hunting on state lands near the trail.

The board also wanted its attorney to read the resolution before they considered it further.

Commissioners said they will address the bike path issue again when their questions have been answered. 

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