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Reply to Ameren announces railbanking of new Rock Island Tr
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Ray (webmaster) on 10/3/2014 7:54:51 AM:
From Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation:

MAJOR STEP IN DEVELOPMENT OF CROSS-STATE ROCK ISLAND TRAIL ANNOUNCED

Ameren agrees to railbank 145-mile section of Rock Island Trail; 213-mile cross-state Rock Island Trail now moving forward

Today Ameren has submitted a letter indicating its plans to railbank an additional 145 miles of the Rock Island line stretching from Windsor almost to Washington, Missouri, where it will eventually connect with the Katy Trail.

Adding this to the existing Katy Trail and portions of the Rock Island Trail already underway, that means Missouri is now working towards an interconnected statewide trail network of over 450 miles.

"This is a historical event for Missouri," said Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation Executive Director Brent Hugh. "It's easily the equivalent of when the Katy Trail was first announced back in the 1980s."

"Most states don't even get the opportunity to create one major cross-state trail," continued Hugh. "Now Missouri is building two interconnected cross-state trails. It is the chance of a lifetime, and we are very pleased the everyone involved, from Ameren to Missouri State Parks to Governor Nixon, have the vision to make this cross-state trail a reality."

What does the future Rock Island Trail network look like?

145 miles - Rock Island, Windsor to Beaufort (near Washington) (State Parks). This is the segment Ameren committed to railbanking today.

46 miles - Rock Island Pleasant Hill to Windsor - result of the Taum Sauk settlement with Ameren (State Parks). This segment was railbanked earlier this year and salvage work/trail construction is currenctly underway.

~22 miles - Rock Island Pleasant Hill to KC, currently in negotiations for purchase from Union Pacific (local municipalities). Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders announced a preliminary deal to purchase this se

 
Ray (webmaster) on 10/3/2014 7:56:57 AM:
More info than could fit into a post! Go to this link for all the details:


http://mobikefed.org/2014/09/its-official-rock-island-trail-track-become-second-cross-missouri-trail-making-450-mile-inte

This is a BIG DEAL, although it will take years to become reality.

 
M.W from Florissant on 1/5/2015 9:17:40 AM:
Near Windsor they are already cleaning out the rock island trail

 
ArkyKenny on 1/5/2015 3:19:17 PM:
Great news! Where does funding come from for these things? My understanding is that Mo Bike Fed buys the right of way, then sells the steel rails for $ to improve it the corridor. I also understand that there have been benefactors, large and small (i.e. Ted Jones) that built the trail, then turned it over to the Mo Parks Dept. Is that correct? Where in the process is it, and where does it go from here? I'm pretty sure that money will be the big factor once the right of way is secured.

I would hate for this to be like the Northeast Texas Trail: They have a 140 mile corridor with tons of potential, but each community is essentially responsible for getting their own section done, so there are big gaps in the trail, and it will be years before it gets done (if ever).

 
Anonoh on 1/6/2015 7:04:21 AM:
You are correct Arky. Now there is buying and selling with private and public funds. I believe more private than public. State reps and governor could be a big push and advocates. Isn't that what we pay them to do?