MATAG Conference: Rails with Trails
The Mid-America Trails and Greenways Conference is underway in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It’s a well-attended event and a great chance to hear how others are developing trails throughout the Midwest.
Yesterday’s sessions included one very interesting topic: Rails-with-Trails (RWT).
Rails-to-Trails are more common. A railroad abandons a rail line, the tracks are removed, a public agency purchases the rail corridor, and resurfaces it for trail use.
But sometimes it’s feasible having a trail alongside an active rail line. Sometimes it’s the only option.
There isn’t a one-sized solution for implementing RWT. The variables include how wide the right-of-way is and the speed/frequency of the trains.
One possible RWT in Southest Michigan would be the Grand Trunk/CN line between downtown Royal Oak and Bloomfield Hills. Two parallel tracks were built with plans to add two more. The Great Depression stopped plans for the latter (as well as plans for an overhead expressway built on top of the railline for autos.)
While there is spare room alongside the Grand Trunk line, it’s not clear how one would propose separating the rail from the trail. Some RWT examples use walls and fences.
Of course the big issue is getting the railroad to grant an easement. Putting people near an active line takes convincing, especially with respect to safety. But RWTs have a great safety record across the U.S. And one also has to consider the alternative. RWTs have a greater safety record than riding on roads.
We’ve tried pushing this issue in the past with no success. With the non-motorized planning for both Royal Oak and the Woodward Corridor, it’s probably worth revisiting.
Related Posts
Tags: MATAG, Rails with Trails, Royal Oak, Trails