Suffolk will receive $500,000 in federal funds this year to construct its portion of a multi-city bicycle trail running from the Suffolk to Norfolk.

Congressman J. Randy Forbes announced Thursday he had secured the funding thought the omnibus appropriation bill passed by the House of Representatives.

This news comes on the heels of Forbes’ Feb. 19th announcements that the city would receive $202,500 to renovate the old Suffolk High School building, and $100,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers to perform a reconnaissance study on the Great Dismal Swamp.

The bike trail will begin at Seaboard Train Station and run along donated railroad right-of-ways through Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Norfolk. These trails, part of City of Suffolk’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan, seek to establish unity among parks, recreation, cultural, and historic facilities in the city.

&uot;We often can’t find the time to take advantage of the many parks and recreational facilities that Virginia offers due to our hectic daily lives,&uot; Forbes said. &uot;We are so lucky to have this bike trail that not only connects local cities, but offers residents the opportunity to enjoy nature.&uot;