Tools

Lewis County Takes Step In 'Rails to Trails' Project

Story Published: Feb 7, 2012 at 5:55 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 7, 2012 at 8:18 PM EDT

Call it buy one, get one free - or actually - buy one, get the other for a dollar.

That's the deal on the table from Genesee Valley Transportation, the company that owns two long-since used railroads in Lewis County.

Genessee wants to sell them to the county for redevelopment.

One is a 17 mile spur from Lowville to Carthage.

It would become a multi-use recreation trail.

The current owners plan to pull up the rails to sell as scrap metal.

They'll leave the ties to prevent erosion and give the land to the county for just a buck.

The other is a 10 mile spur from Lowville to Croghan, which would be used as a scenic railroad.

The rails would stay put - putting the price tag for the county at about $425,000.

"There won't be any money coming from the taxpayer so to speak," said Jack Bush, chair of the county Board of Legislators.

The money to buy the railroads would come from a $450,000 environmental protection fund grant.

The money to to fix and maintain them would come from the county's ATV permit fees.

The labor would come from BOCES students who incorporate the work into their studies.

"The railroad is going to be brought back to life. I'm enthused about that," said Bush.

Not everyone share's Bush's enthusiasm though.

"Village leaders told us in the last go around that they really didn't want any part of it," said Bush.

What's important is that county legislators are on board with the plan and vote to go ahead with the purchase.

Legislative approval just the first step.

The county wouldn't take ownership for 3 to 4 months.

There are still a number of stumbling blocks that could de-rail the whole plan.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
, Watertown, NY

On Demand

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's On TonightFull Schedule

On Wall Street