The Follow Me Multi-Use Trail is a pedestrian facility along an old, abandoned railroad line (formerly known as the Fort Benning Railroad) that runs from Fort Benning Army Base, north of the National Infantry Museum, to Cusseta Road near the Joy Road intersection. The railroad corridor was wide, varying from 140 to 200 feet wide and allowing for many enhancement opportunities near neighborhoods and activity centers. The corridor creates a linear greenway park that invites bicyclists, runners, walkers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The trail currently links seven schools, a park, restaurants, residential areas, and various community organizations. This trail will one day link with the Riverwalk and Columbus’ overall trail network. The project included a bridge to carry the trail over Victory Drive. The overpass involves a prefabricated steel truss bridge, retaining walls, and approach trail on both sides. The railroad corridor is divided by three roadway corridors that create natural breaks in the greenway – Victory Drive, Ft. Benning Road, and Cusseta Road.

The land use varies and includes residential centers, retail centers, recreational parks, and industrial areas. The trail creates a positive impact on the local area, enhances the efficiency and mobility of the transportation system, enhances community connectivity and creates community identity, allows for sub-section creativity, and protects and restores habitat. The trail was designed for constructability and minimum maintenance as well as future connectivity. This project received federal funds with a local let and required full compliance with the GDOT PDP.

H&L (A BCC Company) provided complete design services for this multi-use facility and roadway overpass. We designed the trail path, parking areas, pocket parks, road crossings, overpass, trail structures, and landscaping. The facility includes activity areas, rest areas, and trail amenities. H&L’s services included concept design, database preparation, preliminary and final plans, lighting, environmental permitting, and construction documents. All design was in accordance with the Fort Benning Road Master Plan.