Hi George,

On Saturday I noticed in High Springs that the railroad line south was being dismantled, with ties and tracks removed, and the bed covered with fill dirt. I believe that this is the old CSXT line that goes south to Newberry.  If that's the case, it would be a great rail trail addition, but I have read nothing about any such plans. Do you know about this, since you are so well connected?


Lewis:

I received a response from Brian Ruscher at Greenways and Trails.  He agrees that this would be an excellent trail candidate, and that the DEP plans to begin acquisition efforts in 2016.  I think       they mean they will try to get CSX to donate the ROW to us.  

Then we can sit around and wait for funding.  We are still waiting for funding for the Trenton to Newberry property, acquired a few years ago.  These programs move with glacial slowness, particularly since the OGW is preoccupied with the Sea-To-Sea trail down south, which I suspect is sucking up all available staff time and money.

George

Hi George,

Thanks so much for checking on this. I am, on the one hand, very glad to know that the DEP plans to acquire this right of way. On the other hand, as you say, it will probably be a long wait before this project and the Newberry-Trenton trail will be funded. If there is anything that can be done to speed up this glacial 'progress,' I am sure that members of the GCC would probably be willing their voices to support it.

Thanks again,

Lewis