[IndianaTrails] Railbanking opportunities in Indiana

[Kevin Heber]

There are now two opportunities to railbank in Indiana which are pending
with the Surface Transportation Board (STB).  Maps of each are attached,
with the pending abandonments indicated in the yellow lines. 
 
1)  Vigo County, south of Terre Haute:  Spring Hill to Riley, 7.4 miles, by
CSX
 
This corridor does not appear on any trail plans of which I'm aware.  It is
in a rural area but would serve to connect the town of Riley to the south
side of Terre Haute.  The Indiana Trails Fund, which has provided
railbanking services around the state, is NOT inclined to act on this
corridor, primarily because CSX has proven to be unusually difficult to
negotiate with.  However, if someone is interested in helping with the
filing fees ($350 for 6 months) they will consider it.  It's a shame to lost
any corridor when it would certainly make a pleassant rural hiking or
horseback trail.  The deadline for filing will likely be the last week in
September, then it's gone forever.
 
2)  Decatur County, northwest side of Greensburg:  2.5 miles, by CIND
 
This line almost certainly is interesting to the Decatur County trails
group.  Also interesting is that this is the main line from Indy to
Cincinnati and was identified in the Transportation Corridor Planning Board
Report (INDOT & DNR) with a preservation use of rail freight.   The deadline
for filing will likely be the first week in October.
 
The Indiana Trails Fund normally provides railbanking services in cases
where there is likely trail use envisioned.  Please contact Richard Vonnegut
at trails at indianatrails.org to help them pursue the above opportunities, or
please distribute this to anyone you think may be interested in preserving
these corridors for rail-trails.
 
Have a safe holiday weekend!
 
Kevin Heber
kevin at indianatrails.org
317-410-0755
www.indianatrails.org <http://www.indianatrails.org/> 
 
 <http://www.indianatrails.org/>  
 
 
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