After more than a decade of planning, a long-envisioned bike path connecting Fall River and New Bedford is finally taking a real step forward as regional planners begin seeking proposals to design the nearly 10-mile Northern Scenic Greenway.

Residents traveling between Westport, Dartmouth and New Bedford do not have a safe way to walk or bike along the busy corridor.

The goal of the shared-use path is to change that, while also opening up access to stretches of coastline, wetlands, and neighborhoods that are difficult to reach without a car.

“This is the first time we’ve collaborated with three communities on one project,” said Sandra Medeiros, president of the South Coast Bikeway Alliance.

See more at heraldnews.com.