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Doodle Trail groundbreaking set

PICKENS — After years of planning and debate, Pickens and Easley will officially break ground on the Doodle Trail this week.

The groundbreaking ceremony, which is planned for noon Thursday and open to the public, will be held at the Pickens Rail Yard at 409 E. Cedar Rock St. in Pickens.

According to Pickens city administrator Bruce Evilsizor, the groundbreaking will kick off the construction phase of the multi-use recreational trail, which will stretch more than seven miles to connect the cities of Pickens and Easley, following the path of the old Pickens Doodle Railroad.

Evilsizor said the trail is expected to be completed by May 30 if the weather cooperates.

King Asphalt in Liberty will pave the trail after both Easley and Pickens’ city councils approved a $1.9 million contract with the company at meetings last month.

Easley administrator Fox Simons said a meeting for property owners along the trail’s route is planned for 6 p.m. Thursday at Tri-County Technical College’s Easley campus, located at 1774 Powdersville Road.