"Rome was not built in a day," as the famous saying goes. That's not a fact that needs to be pointed out to the people of Lancaster County in southeast Pennsylvania.
It has been 22 years since the railroad company Conrail filed to officially abandon a section of the Enola Branch rail line, which runs through the townships of Bart, Sadsbury, Conestoga, Eden, Providence and Martic. In that time, widespread support for the conversion of the 23-mile section of rail corridor into a multi-use trail has been held up by costly and complex legal proceedings and title disputes, which has in turn delayed funding applications.
This past summer many improvements were made on what is now referred to as the Enola Low-Grade Trail. A rough surface of crushed limestone was laid by Amtrak on one section of the trail, where it needed access for its trucks to install new power lines. And while technically the entire corridor is open to the public, significant improvements, and secure maintenance and funding agreements, are needed if the trail is to become the regional attraction supporters believe it should be. Trail users this month report at least one township had posted "No Trespassing" signs along the corridor.
Though the painful progress is frustrating for everyone involved, the passage of time has produced a remarkably resolute group of local rail-trail advocates. The project's delay has given them ample opportunity to study the benefits rail-trails across Pennsylvania have brought to communities just like theirs, strengthening their resolve to make good use of the out-of-service corridor.
One of these advocates is Mark Rudy, roadmaster and outgoing supervisor for Eden Township. According to an article at Lancaster Online, Rudy was once opposed to the idea of a recreational trail but changed his mind as the great public desire for a trail became evident.
This month, Rudy is responding to a pressing threat that has the potential to set the rail-trail project back once again and rob the area of an irreplaceable piece of its rich heritage.
An historic stone arch bridge, which once carried steam-powered locomotives into Eden at the turn of the 20th century, is set to be demolished as early as this spring. Demolition of the Pumping Station Road bridge, built with blocks cut by Italian stonemasons a century ago, was ordered by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) in 1997; in transferring the corridor to the six townships in 2008, Conrail's successor, Norfolk Southern, included the same language requiring demolition of a number of structures.
Rudy is circulating a petition in the area to save the Pumping Station Road bridge. He is concerned not only for the unique historical value of the bridge, but also its function as a vital part of the rail-trail. Rudy estimates the bridge would last another three generations with no upkeep costs. Demolition of the bridge would not only cost tens of thousands of dollars, but would also necessitate the construction of a new bridge for trail users.
It is very much the 11th hour for the bridge, and the immediate future of the rail-trail. Bids for demolition are due in mid-January, and the structure could be gone by spring.
Rudy suggests anyone wanting to support the preservation of the Pumping Station Road bridge should contact PUC Chairman Robert Powelson at 717-787-4301, or Pennsylvania State Rep. Bryan Cutler at bcutler@pahousegop.com and 717-783-6424.
If you are interested in supporting the Enola Low-Grade Trail effort, or for more information, contact Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Northeast Regional Office at 717.238.1717 or northeast@railstotrails.org.
Photo courtesy of lancasteronline.com.
PLEASE don't do this. What a waste.
G'day Annie,
make sure your thoughts are heard by those making the decisions. Rudy suggests anyone wanting to support the preservation of the bridge should contact PUC Chairman Robert Powelson at 717-787-4301, or Pennsylvania State Rep. Bryan Cutler at bcutler@pahousegop.com and 717-783-6424.
I live in Connecticut. We have rail trails all over our state. They are a boon to walkers, bikers, dogs, joggers, etc. I cannot imagine them not being here.
Fight for the trails, Don't let them demolish the bridges. That is a cruel thing for the railroads to do.
We biked this trail about a month ago. It goes thru such nice farmlands and some pretty wooded areas. While the trail is currently very rough and not for the faint of heart, the hope is that they will put another finer coat of gravel on it so it's more sensible to ride.
There are already several bridges that have been removed forcing trail riders to go down steep embankments, cross the road below and back up the opposite embankment to the trail again. If this bridge is sturdy, it makes no sense to remove it.
This trail has much potential, but the way it is right now, it really isn't practical for most recreational riders. In addition, there were signs in at least one township saying "No tresspassing". We had plans to ride some 20 miles and had already put a second vehicle at the other end, so we ignored the signs. I hope everyone can agree that this trail needs to be opened to the public, maintained at a usable level and retain the bridges.
Is there any way to identify the bridge more exactly when writing to the powers that be? Perhaps we could be given the road that the bridge crosses to identify it?
G'day Deb - great idea. The bridge is known locally as the Enola Low-Grade Line bridge over Pumping Station Road - or perhaps just the Pumping Station Road bridge for short.
It would be great for RTC members and friends to let planners and officials know that preserving structures like this to enable rail-trail use is important to many people. If you can, share the story with your network!
I just wrote to Rep. Cutler after reading this today. Here is his prompt response:
Eden township would need to appeal the prior PUC order that was issued for the bridge removal. I have previously offered assistance regarding this matter and have notified them of the proper course of action to appeal the order. I do not know if they are in the process of doing that or not, but I am happy to help where ever they need me.
Hopefully Eden Township is appealing in the proper channels.
OK, Representative Cutler gave me a prompt response! Please do not contact him. He has offered his help and now Eden Township needs to appeal the destruction to the PUC. Please encourage the township to proceed with due haste. Here is their e-mail address:
edentwp@comcast.net
That road is out in the country and is not used very much so, it probably wouldn't be a big deal if they removed the bridge and made a ramped road crossing. The problem is, they haven't been making the road-crossing transitions bicycle friendly on that trail. Large service trucks would be able to get to the farms down the street from Rt372 a lot easier if the bridge was removed but, other than that, I don't really see the need to get rid of it.
Just to clarify the demolition of the bridge has been ordered by the P.U.C. NOT Eden Township. The Township is in the process of appealing the order with the P.U.C. All the support they can get the better their odds are of saving the bridge. Thanks!
I used this trail in the past. I tried to use it yesterday. The township that has posted no trespassing signs is Sadsbury Township, Lancaster County. I checked and they are paying school tax on the property because it isn't open to the public. I will find out how much they money they are wasting of taxpayers money and post it here.
Please call the township and let them know how you feel about this. 610-593-6796.
Just called the PUC and was told if it's a legal proceeding they can't comment. Rodney Bender from the PUC rail division is supposed to call back. Not easy to make one's voice heard. Stay tuned!
Rod Bender did return my call and said the decision is most likely with the administrative judge at this point. He also said the issue often is not having a commitment from any organization to assure ongoing maintenance of these structures so the railroads elect to demolish them
I wonder what it would take to assure that given the current (apparent) stability of the bridge. Is that something Rails-to-Trails would be able to take on?
Pennsylvania has enough red ink in the budget already without wasting money destroying a perfectly good bridge that can serve a wonderful purpose. No wonder the government is bankrupt!
We need to have a place to ride safely and enjoy the country side, I also was very dissapointed to see it posted "no tresspassing" so I do not go. Save the bridge, what has happened to keeping old bidges and buildings, its like just tear it down no biggie, hate when they take something so beautiful and just junk it. Come on lets fight this!!
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