Image courtesy of the city of Franklin.

The city of Franklin’s efforts to revitalize its downtown got a boost from the state Department of Transportation in the form of a $512,000 grant to build a pedestrian walkway on its landmark trestle bridge.

The walkway will connect Mill City Park to the base of the Winnipesaukee River Trail.

“Anyone who has been through Franklin’s downtown has seen this iconic trestle view bridge. It stands large and proud over the Winnipesaukee River located at the entrance of the main downtown area,” Franklin City Manager Judie Milner said in a statement. “It is a vital piece of Franklin’s history. “

“As Sonny and Cher would say, ‘The Beat Goes On’ for the city of Franklin’s revitalization. This award clearly builds upon our efforts to expand outdoor recreation in our community,” Mayor Tony Giunta said in a statement. “Undoubtedly, when completed this project will have an enormously positive financial impact to our great city and the entire region.”

Mill City Park is a public-private partnership reinventing the city utilizing the Three Rivers City’s original economic engine, the rivers. The park, free to the public, will consist of both a land component and a proposed whitewater kayaking park on the Winnipesaukee River. Construction on some of the land portions are expected to begin this year and will include a community garden, pavilion, mountain bike pump track, trails and camping. Engineering, design and permitting of the whitewater park is well underway.