Pocono News Section

Rail-Trail Project Gets Boost from State

Rail-Trail Project Gets Boost from State - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 5:15PM EST

Lewisburg, Union County-
The Union County Rail-Trail project is getting a boost from the state. PennDOT awarded a $3.7 million grant Friday to the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority.

Dani Einsig, of Mifflinburg, noted, “I know I like to walk in the wilderness and on trails and there isn’t really anything too much like that around here so I think it would be a good idea.”

The process is already underway to turn these long un-used railroad tracks into an appealing destination for locals and tourists alike. And the railroad itself is being salvaged, piece by piece.

Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority interim Executive Director Jim Buck said, “The steel is gone, the cross ties are coming up, and what remains there is being lightly graded so it’s more or less level.”

When it’s finished, the nine mile long rail-trail will connect Lewisburg and Mifflinburg. It will provide a safe and fun path for bikers and walkers- and keep them clear of busy highways like Routes 15 and 45.

Buck explained, “We’ve actually had some injuries and one tragic death from people cycling on the sides of the roads.”

The trail is likely still a couple years away from opening.

Designers must take into account several safety issues, including railings for bridges and keeping pedestrians and bikers off private property near the trail.

To that end, a public meeting on the Rail-Trail project is set for Wednesday, June 10th at 7pm at Burkholder’s Gym in Buffalo Township.

Buck added, “We want to be a community asset. We want people to tell us how we can improve it, or what we should be thinking about as we move into the design phase.”

Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority officials expect the Rail-Trail to be open to the public in 2011.