Local

Lawmakers approve $50M for bike trail project

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — State lawmakers have approved $50 million to link more than 200 miles of existing bike trails across central Florida.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection wants to bridge 72 miles of gaps among more than a dozen regional trails from St. Petersburg to Titusville. Once completed, the trail would be the longest continuous bike path in Florida.

A department spokesman tells The Tampa Tribune (http://bit.ly/ZHeYwO ) that the trail would increase tourism and economic development.

Money for the project would come from the state's transportation trust fund.

Gov. Rick Scott could still veto the project. He did not include it in his proposed budget.