Bonita-Estero Rail Trail

Bonita Springs has become the final government to approve its share of the $60 million purchase of Seminole Gulf Railway right-of-way for an 11.4-mile bike trail that would extend from Estero into Collier County.

Collier County Commissioners voted Tuesday to draw up a contract to pay $11.6 million to the Trust for Public Lands for a major bike and walking trail. That group needs $60 million by fall to buy abandoned tracks from Seminole Gulf Railway.

The three communities financing the 11.4-mile Bonita Estero Rail Trail will need to decide by the end of March how they will pay for it.

Dreams of a long bike and pedestrian trail in Southwest Florida have moved closer to becoming reality. The Trust for Public Land and Seminole Gulf Railway have announced a new agreement on turning old train tracks, into a trail for recreation.

The Florida Acquisition and Restoration Council approved the application by Trust for Public Land to secure a conservation designation for the Rail-Trail Corridor.

Bonita Springs City Council pledges $17 million toward trail project.

Bonita Springs is supporting the Rails to Trails project, but not asking for millions of dollars from the state. At least not for now.The Bonita Springs City Council voted Wednesday night to let state law-makers know: The Bonita-Estero Rail Trail, or "BERT", is a priority.