NANTY GLO — The Ghost Town Trail is one step closer toward becoming the only continuous loop rail trail east of Oregon.

At a ribbon cutting ceremony held at the recently constructed pedestrian box culvert under Church Street in Blacklick Township, about 60 people gathered to celebrate the Phase I completion of the trail’s final 1.5-mile section.

In addition to building the culvert, Phase I — costing $907,354 — included about 0.7 miles of trail being built and tied to the existing North Street trailhead, said Caytlin Lusk, the Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority’s program coordinator. County officials broke ground for the project in late August.

Lusk said the authority “is really looking forward to” next year when the final piece of the trail will be built, along with two bridges — one over Cardiff Road and the other over Beulah Road.

“We’ve been working diligently with PennDOT to get the proper permits and approvals,” Lusk said.

In total, the project will cost $4.2 million and is being funded by a $3.2 million abandoned mine land economic revitalization grant and through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Lusk said.

Lindsay Baer, a DCNR regional adviser, said the Ghost Town Trail is “a symbol of connection,” connecting people with their communities, the outdoors, healthier lifestyles and their friends and loved ones.

“This trail will be a source of pride for generations to come,” Baer said, noting the trail’s development is a reminder of “what can be achieved with strong leadership and a community that comes together.”

“It’s a legacy that we’re leaving, showing that government comes together at all levels from the vision all the way through,” said State Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Cambria.

During his brief remarks, Cambria County President Commissioner Scott Hunt said the project’s transformation over the past four months is “just amazing.”

County Commissioner Tom Chernisky noted the trail’s development has spanned 30 years and said the trail is a destination point for walkers, runners, hikers and cyclists from across the nation.

“We’re winning here in Cambria County,” Chernisky said. “We have a recipe for winning and getting things done, but no one can do it alone.”

Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority executive director Cliff Kitner said, within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, outdoor recreation rose from a $17 billion industry to a $19 billion industry, creating 168,000 jobs this year.

Kitner said stones from the old Red Mill Bridge abutments in Blacklick Township are lining the new portion of trail.

“What we tried to do is showcase the old and showcase the new and tie them all together,” Kitner said, pointing out that the two bridges to be built next year will resemble the old Red Mill Bridge.

Also speaking at the ceremony were Cambria Commissioner Keith Rager, state Rep. Jim Rigby and Tom Kakabar, chairman of the Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.