Construction on a new section of the Brownsville Southmost Trail could soon begin, but city leaders say the project is about more than adding distance.

The long-term goal is to give Southmost residents easier access to everyday destinations like schools, parks, and the library, while eventually connecting the area to Brownsville's larger trail system.

Phase 3 will include a loop around the Southmost Public Library and improvements around Morningside Park; and there's already more planned.

Phase 4 will focus more on sidewalks, connecting La Posada Park through neighborhoods to two schools along Southmost Boulevard.

And that's not even the end of the plans for Southmost Trail. It continues on to a phase 5.

"The idea is to connect the southernmost part of the city of Brownsville to the historic Battlefield Trail, which is a mile shy from the city of Los Fresnos," Senior Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner Eva Garcia said.

Officials said the Southmost Trail was a priority investment because Southmost is one of the most densely populated communities in the region.

And as these different phases come together, the goal is to create what Garcia describes as a spine that the city can eventually build more connections off of.