RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As construction continues on the much-anticipated Fall Line Trail, local residents and officials are buzzing with excitement about the project's progress. The 43-mile multi-use trail aims to connect Ashland to Petersburg, offering a safe, scenic route for walkers and bikers alike. This year's fourth annual Fall Line Trailblazer event, hosted by Sports Backers, allowed residents to explore different sections of the future trail. This marks a milestone, as construction is now active in multiple counties, heightening awareness and enthusiasm for the project. "The fact that this trail will touch so many communities, I think it will be a world open for so many people to get outside," said Richmond resident and avid trail lover Cassi Patterson. Fall Line Trail map from December 2021 Residents flocked to three guided tours on Saturday, starting in the Ashland-Hanover area, followed by explorations of Bryan Park and Lakeside in Richmond and Henrico, and concluding at Shepherd’s Stadium in Colonial Heights. These tours provided an opportunity for the community to walk along the future trail while learning about its design and potential. The total estimated cost for the trail is around $300 million, with Richmond’s Bryan Park segment accounting for $2.76 million of the expense. This ambitious project will traverse several counties and cities, including Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Petersburg and Colonial Heights, and the town of Ashland. "I think I'm most looking forward to seeing new people experience recreation that gets them to other places," Patterson said. "Honestly, I think it's going to be a big push for people to be able to be outside and for people who are new to active transportation, and to be able to with people from Ashland, people from Petersburg, where right now we can't do that. I think that's going to be a really big, amazing thing to see." Brantley Tyndall from Sports Backers led the hikes and emphasized the importance of community engagement in the project. "Every time people see something new, they get excited about an element they weren't prepared for and we want to get people aware and excited about this new amenity in their community," Tyndall said. The Richmond portions of the trail are anticipated to be completed by next year, with the entire trail connecting seven localities expected to be finished by around 2035.