The Spring-to-Spring Trail will be one step closer to completion with the opening of a 1.2-mile phase that runs through west DeBary.

The Volusia County Council will cut the ribbon for the new segment at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, on the corner of Donald E. Smith and DeBary Plantation boulevards.

The $848,739 project is the first trail constructed by Volusia County using funds from the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail program. SUN Trail, which is overseen by the Florida Department of Transportation, is destined to become a statewide system of paved non-motorized trails.

The new segment crosses Duke Energy property through a partnership and license agreement with the electric power company. Duke plans to construct a large solar farm near the trail that will be visible by trail users in the next couple of years.

The St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance has referred to this segment as the “critical gap” in the Spring-to-Spring Trail system because of the significantly increased connectivity and safety it provides.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, alliance members will lead a seven-mile round trip bike ride to Blue Spring and back. Participants should bring a bicycle and helmet.

The county has completed 18.9 miles of the Spring-to-Spring Trail. When complete, it will stretch 27.2 miles from Green Springs Park to DeLeon Springs State Park. The trail is part of the partially completed 260-mile St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop, which travels through five counties, including Volusia, Flagler, Brevard, St. Johns and Putnam counties. It is being designed to accommodate walkers, joggers, inline skaters, bicyclists and people with disabilities. Learn more about the loop at www.sjr2c.org

Learn more about Volusia County’s growing trail system at www.volusia.org/trails.