There are plans to turn 109km of unused railroad tracks between Riceboro and Kingsland into a paved trail. It will be unusual in taking users through coastal wetlands.

When complete, the Georgia Coast Rail Trail will meander through forests, marshes, creeks and undeveloped land from Riceboro to Kingsland, staying about 15km inland of the coast the whole way.

The trail will cross 43 rivers, creeks, and streams, including a century-old trestle bridge over the Altamaha River.

It is hoped that the project will be completed in 2015.

A 2km rail trail near Woodbine has been in use for a decade. It is 3m wide and concrete.

There are still obstacles in the way. Seventeen people own land along the way, so right-of-way issues must be confronted before trail construction can begin.

The projected cost of the trail is about US$50 million. The Atlanta-based PATH Foundation will design and build the trail. PATH recently completed the 97km Silver Comet Trail in northwest Georgia.