Championing the Greenway in DC during a time of cuts and uncertainty

By Niles Barnes, East Coast Greenway Alliance Deputy Director 

I recently had the honor of representing the East Coast Greenway Alliance advocating for greenways and active transportation on Capitol Hill. Despite the many challenges we face, the East Coast Greenway remains a transformational project of local, state, regional and national significance. 

On day 28 of the federal government shutdown, I was in D.C. as part of a convening of community leaders, national advocates, labor voices, funders and policy makers focused on the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization. This bill determines how much the federal government spends on transportation and what types of projects are eligible for funding. We came together thanks to the convening of the Equitable Transportation Fund, NRDC, PolicyLink, Transportation for America and the McKnight Foundation. 

Why Our Advocacy Matters Right Now

This year and next, Congress is drafting the next federal transportation bill. This legislation will set priorities and spending levels for the next five years. The current policy expires in September 2026, and we have an opportunity to make our voices heard now. 

This is a critical moment for the East Coast Greenway. Over the past three decades, federal support has helped unlock trail segments in communities large and small. These investments improve safety, boost local economies and give people healthier ways to move.

But our ambitions are growing. With continued investment, we can:

• Double biking and walking along the East Coast Greenway corridor

• Reach 100 million visits annually

• Expand access to nature for tens of millions of people

• Accelerate connections between communities up and down the East Coast

The Biggest Climate Decision Congress Will Make

Transportation remains the largest contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. If we want a thriving, resilient future, we must give people real alternatives to car dependence.

That’s why this transportation bill is effectively the most consequential climate legislation Congress will consider in the coming years.

What Comes Next and How You Can Help

As we meet with congressional committees and build bipartisan champions, your support ensures we can:

• Advocate for walking and biking priorities

• Unlock major federal investments for trail completion

• Deliver the healthy, connected communities people deserve

With your partnership, we can finish the East Coast Greenway and shape a national transportation system that puts people and the planet first.

Stay tuned for opportunities to raise your voice. The decisions made in Washington over the coming months will influence how all of us move for years to come and together, we’ll make sure the Greenway continues its powerful momentum.