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Firefly Trail Expansion
From Athens to Union Point
The Firefly Trail is a planned 39-mile rail-trail from Athens to Union Point in Northeast Georgia, connecting Athens-Clarke, Oglethorpe, and Greene Counties. The historic rail line, known as the Athens Branch of the Georgia Railroad, branched off the still-active Augusta-to-Atlanta line in Union Point and passed through the towns of Woodville, Maxeys, Stephens, Crawford, Arnoldsville and Winterville on its way to Athens.
This alternative transportation corridor will allow for pedestrians and bicyclists to safely commute and recreate away from high speed traffic. This project includes design, engineering, and right of way acquisition in preparation for immediate trail construction within Athens-Clarke County. Other sections of the trail outside of Athens-Clarke County are being coordinated by their respective communities.
For more information about the entire project, visit the TSPLOST Project 6 page, or Firefly Trail page
For more information about the progress of each section in Athens-Clarke County, please visit the project pages under the headlines below.
Remaining Athens-Clarke County Sections of the Firefly Trail:
Firefly Bridge over Trail Creek - Under Construction
The Firefly Trail TSPLOST Project includes a pedestrian and bicycle bridge inside of Dudley Park over Trail Creek. This bridge is designated where a remnant of an old wooden railroad trestle stood for many years. This structure is commonly referred to as the Trail Creek Trestle or the Murmur Trestle.
Please visit the project page for more information.
Hancock Road to Downtown Winterville - Concept Development
This project is the final piece of the Firefly Trail within Athens-Clarke County. This connection starts at Hancock Road and traverses mostly along the original railroad bed. It follows along Spring Valley Road until turning towards Winterville on the historic railbed.
Please visit the project page for more information.
Shared Parking Lot Available at 605 Spring Valley Road
Thanks to a collaborative effort between Leisure Services and Transportation and Public Works, a new mid-block crosswalk and join use parking lot are now open for trail visitors. A total of 48 parking spaces are available to the public at the ACCGov Streets and Drainage facility at 605 Spring Valley Road during evenings starting at 5:00 p.m. and throughout the day on weekends. The new crosswalk allows for safe crossing at the Firefly Trail.