By Stephen Smoot
The topic occupied two points on the Harrison County Commission’s agenda for the meeting on March 6, numbers 19 and 20. They read “Review – discuss purchase agreement for rail trail” and “Review – discuss engineering contract for rail trail.”
Both topics spawned a brief clash among commissioners over different aspects of how to move forward with the trail.
Prior to the discussion, the commission followed legal doctrine and provided the first reading for the new rail trail ordinance that will allow e vehicles within certain parameters to travel on the trail.
The ultimate goal of Harrison County and other involved local governments lies in creating a burgh to burg continuous trail. This would create a system of continuous trails on former rail beds extending from Pittsburgh to Parkersburg.
One of the key elements of the plan locally lies in purchasing a railbed from CSX. Recently, a breakthrough took place that would allow the county to purchase the property for $245,000, but this comes with conditions from CSX. Generally these conditions include a requirement to either cap or pave the surface.
In this case, CSX prefers that the County pave the approximately five miles stretch of trail, seven feet extending in either direction from the center. The length under discussion extends between Adamston and Reynoldsville, not counting a spur in the original railroad.
Had the county and CSX not come to an agreement, eminent domain remained an option, but that would necessarily involve the federal government and a lengthier process than most such cases.
The engineer of record for the project is Thrasher, a firm that performs a great deal of work for state and local governments in West Virginia. They perform work on the trail as and when needed.
Susan Thomas, Harrison County Commission president, stated that the county was working toward finalizing the deed.
Commissioner David Hinkle raised a number of questions about cost and process during the discussion, which approached being heated at times. He expressed concern over the cost of paving and other related issues.
Hinkle stated that “I think it’s a poor investment. I don’t see a return on the dollar.”
One of the stated purposes for the trail lay in its being available for “recreational purposes.” Hinkle questioned why these had not been defined.
He made a motion to table the purchase, but Susan Thomas, county commission president, said no action was necessary.
When completed the trail is expected to boost tourism in the area, especially among those driven to travel the entire length.