Eastern Continental Divide as seen on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail (Photo: gaphistory.org)
A new study for an American rail-trail, the Great Allegheny Passage, demonstrated the economic benefits it brought to the area. The study showed that the trail, which cost an initial investment of $80 million, generated $121 million in tourism revenue in just one year, 2019, causing it to be dubbed the "Economic Highway". This demonstrates the potential for the Island Corridor if it became a multi-use trail.