The Kerr Avenue Trail in Wilmington is moving forward with federal support. The project received a $2,681,347 grant, part of a funding award approved by the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization in November 2025.
The bulk of that money comes from a $2,681,347 federal grant through the Surface Transportation Block Grant Direct Attributable program, according to the Wilmington Star-News. The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization board approved the funding at its November 2025 meeting, following a competitive cycle that evaluated 10 regional applications requesting over $14.4 million, as reported by Port City Daily.
In September, City Manager Becky Hawke was authorized to enter an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to receive the federal funds, the Star-News reports. The Star-News reports the funding increase is intended to cover anticipated construction and related costs.
The Planned Trail
The Kerr Avenue Trail is a planned project in Wilmington.
The Gary Shell Cross-City Trail is a Wilmington trail.
Project Development
The Kerr Avenue Trail is moving through project development and funding.
The Surface Transportation Block Grant Direct Attributable program that funded the project supports locally administered projects, including bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, across the region.
Part of a Broader Safety Push
The trail also fits into a citywide push to separate pedestrians and cyclists from vehicle traffic. In September 2025, the City of Wilmington adopted Vision Zero, pledging to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries by 2036 by prioritizing separated infrastructure such as the Kerr Avenue Trail, according to the city's Vision Zero program page.
Pedestrian and bicycle crashes have occurred within the Wilmington Urban Area MPO over a five-year period.
