Officials broke ground Thursday on the newest section of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail.

It’s part of the final length of the trail, stretching north on the Ocmulgee River’s western bank toward Amerson River Park. About a half-mile long, the section will follow the cemetery’s drive northward, parallel to Riverside Drive from the gatehouse at Madison Street, until the drive curves toward the river at I-75.

As it continues, the trail will leave the existing roadway to cut a new path toward Vineville Branch creek, ending with a boardwalk and scenic overlook just west of the railroad and riverbank.

Representatives of Riverside Cemetery, along with NewTown Macon, the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, the Georgia Department of Transportation and Georgia Development Partners were part of Thursday’s gathering.

Construction is slated to begin soon. As work progresses, directional signs will assist visitors in navigating access to all areas of the cemetery as necessary. The Riverside Cemetery Conservancy’s Spirits in October tour, Oct. 18-20 and 25-28, will not be affected by construction.

For more information about the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, see OcmulgeeHeritageTrail.com.