Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail Forum
Hosted by:
Joining the Discussion:
Ray Irvin, Indiana’s Greenways & Bikeways Director
OPENING REMARKS
Meeting was opened with Tom Castaldi’s introduction of Ray Irvin INDOT Director of Greenways & Bikeways. Members present as well several who were unable to attend the meeting had prepared individual county maps showing existing and planned trail-ways that follow the historic Wabash Erie Canal corridor. Unique among this map work, that participants organized in the last ten days and in time for today’s meeting, is demonstrated how each county/community trail could connect to form the Canal Corridor. With these as an opening, Ray Irvin offered a look at the master map plans and began his presentation.
Ray reinforced the current popularity of trails comparing it with the challenges of developing the Monon Trail some twenty years ago. It is reflected also in Ray’s charge he received from Governor Daniels to: develop an Indiana Trail system that focuses on connectivity, infrastructure improvement and economic development. Today trails are a good idea for health, quality of life and economic reasons.
Ray must go through every road project the sate has planned, as well as analyze government grants that were made seeking those never utilized by the recipient. Other issues have been dealing with attempts to place bike trails along Interstates highways, which he has opposed and has proven to be a bad idea in other parts of the county.
Within the footprint of a public roadway, an additional sixteen feet of additional land can cause the project to extend considerably. Typical timeline issues he faces is: planning committees formed to learn what should be included; working up the design; going to the public for comment and finally getting the financing.
A unique opportunity in trail planning emerged with the idea of installing below-grade infrastructure such as internet wiring, and piping for sanitary, water and septic systems. Many Hoosiers continue to depend on septic systems and wells for a water source. Further, although our State has an abundance of water, it may not be where it’s needed for expanding populations or in times of drought. Conversely, pumping wastewater to a central treatment facility could help eliminate scattering water handling for existing homes and every newly developed community site as well. We must look at efficiencies for the future. Ray’s plan for over 2,000 miles of trail raises the question of, what can we locate under the trail’s paved surface to enhance our State’s infrastructure?
Abandoned railroad lines are a case that begs the question: Does a rail line once abandoned revert to the adjacent land owners? Historically railroads got the right-of-ways for economic development of communities. Today, we do not have the right-of-way luxury of putting the next pipe in the ground. So of the 3,000 or so abandoned rail lines – polluted with arsenic and creosote leakage – if a land owner’s great, great, great grand dad did not own the land prior to the railroad’s use, why should the line revert to the that adjacent owner? These are questions that need studied.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Dan McCain commented about the
Ray Irvin: Plan calls for a set of guidelines. The project will not take away from the arts and culture of a given area. Also, directional signage, construction specifications and related concerns will be standardized for uniformity based on national standards and best practices for trails.
Mike Beauchamp: What do we have to do to get a line on your master map plan?
Ray Irvin: The first cut of our plan we looked at a road to parallel our route and we had to consider the width of the road. Next step is tweaking the existing plan with a meeting of community representatives and our consultants to confirm where to position the dots on the map. We have a lot to consider before plotting a bike lane and acquiring land which can be a long-term event. A good question is, how do we get local owners to be a part of continuing the corridor in say the next eighty years? Remember that we can’t afford the maintenance of a trail without local buy in.
Mike Beauchamp: What if we can find an alternate solution for the route locally?
Ray Irvin: That’s fine if it’s affordable and doable.
Kreig Adkins: In our county we’re not looking to walk the towpath because it’s directly under Highway 24. How do we deal with that kind of situation?
Ray Irvin: If there’s space available along the road way we can accommodate a bikeway, but U.S. 24 may not be the best route.
Louise Jewell asked about the Indiana Trail system through
Ron James added that departing from the
Stan Lambert asked that if a plan were put together, is there a chance we could get the Wabash Erie route back on the master trail plan? The Director said that it could be looked at but priorities have been set.
Mike Beauchamp suggested that acquiring land may not take decades with income events, conservation easements, trusts that may cut the process to a few years.
Ray Irvin stressed that land acquisition is a first step. He suggested forming a 501(c)3 designation to start a land trust in perpetuity arrangement. A land owner is not likely to turn over land if there is no assurance that, for example, it will not be sold to a developer. Government can’t give that assurance, but a non profit can. He also spoke about the high cost of the project.
Mike Beauchamp: If we want to get the dots changed on the master plan, how do we do that?
Ray Irvin: The project will be advertised, planning organization conducted, and the consultant will identify all stake holders for their input at planned meetings. As of
In all there are 27 different trails in the Indiana Trails plan with a path width of twelve feet. It is estimated that the cost per mile, including land acquisition, construction, paving is $1.3 million. Additional features, such as bridges and culverts are extra.
In reply to a question from Mike Galbraith about the per mile cost, the Director replied that the best approach was to “stair-step” the project considering the concerns of land acquisition, planning, designing and developing the project in sections.
Ray Irvin’s concluding remarks: Here is what you can do: At the local level you have influence. Let the governor and your legislative representatives know that you know about the Indiana Trail plan. Let them know that you want to support it, want to see it succeed and that we’re here as volunteers to make this a better community.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Our thanks go to Ray Irvin for his explanation and interactive discussion about the exciting plans for an Indiana Trails Bikeway and Greenway
Every one present expressed their gratitude to The Charlie Creek Foundation for providing excellent meeting accommodations.
Our forum’s
ACTION PLAN
Bob Schmidt moved that a joint letter be prepared to be submitted from this group to State government officials.
Next meeting:
Meeting adjourned.
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