BROWNSVILLE, Texas (August 9, 2017) – The Brownsville Historic Battlefield Trail Fort Brown Connection is nearing completion in Downtown Brownsville. Slated for completion in Fall 2017, the Fort Brown Connection includes the construction of 2.75 miles of bicycle and pedestrian enhancements through Downtown Brownsville to expand the existing nine-mile Historic Battlefield Trail.

Presently, the Historic Battlefield Trail connects the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and the Resaca de la Palma Battlefield Site to Linear Park. Expansion of the Historic Battlefield Trail through the Fort Brown Connection will complete the bicycle and pedestrian link between Brownsville’s three historic battlefield sites: Fort Brown earthworks; Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park; and the Resaca de la Palma Battlefield site.

The Fort Brown Connection includes the following additions:

• Two-way bicycle lanes through striping;
• Shared Lane Markings, “sharrows;”
• ADA-compliant sidewalks;
• Bicycle amenities: bicycle racks, benches and trash receptacles.

In addition, E. Harrison Street, from E. 6^th Street to E. 9^th Street, will undergo significant changes:

• From E. 6^th Street to E. 7^th Street, E. Harrison Street will remain a two-way street;
• From E. 7^th Street to E. 9^th Street, E. Harrison Street will flow one-way;
• From E. 8^th Street to E. 9^th Street, E. Harrison Street will have back-in angle parking, accommodating 17 parking spaces; and
• From E. 9^th Street to E. 10^th Street, E. Harrison Street will remain closed.

“The Fort Brown Connection is a 2.75 mile extension of our hike and bike network that essentially provides a connection to three battlefields whose story defines how Brownsville and our region came to be,” said Brownsville City Commissioner At-Large “B” Rose M. Z. Gowen. “Completion of the Fort Brown Connection will conjoin the Fort Brown earthworks, the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and the Resaca de la Palma Battlefield site – providing our residents and tourists alike a unique and historical experience.”

The Fort Brown Connection was funded by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) through the Transportation Enhancement Program in 2013.

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