More Funds - Rails With Trails Project (Cookeville, Algood: how much, houses)

[jguillot]

Plans for the Rails With Trails Project are progressing. The Rails With Trails project is a proposed multi-use path between Cookeville and Monterey and will run alongside reconstructed railroad tracks. The project is a partnership between the City of Cookeville, Algood, the Town of Monterey and Putnam County. See the story by clicking on the link below.

Herald-Citizen Online Edition - Cookeville, TN

[2mares]

I wonder if "they" will use eminant domain to obtain the land for the trails?

[jguillot]

Originally Posted by 2mares

I wonder if "they" will use eminant domain to obtain the land for the trails?

The Rails With Trails project should be a good thing for the community, but I hope eminant domain will not be used to acquire property. I always hate to see reports of people involuntarily losing their property in this way.

[SPLIT]

JG: Good info. The rail line behind our old house in upstate NY is finally going to be paved this spring 15 years after 1st proposal. Many states behind Tenn actions. Maine is very pro-active in using RR for snowMobile network / tourist draw. We were there last week, this link went 18 miles straight as arrow, then a few bends. Other trails off main line.
. That funding / grants usually use old RailRoad beds gravel stone, should not be any houses on RR property.? IMO.
.

[2mares]

I've read they plan to use the rr right of way, but I travel between Monterey to Algood via woodcliff rd. and have watched the progress of the train tracks and I just cant see it being easy to develop a trail along the route without aquiring property.

[yarddawg]

Originally Posted by 2mares

I've read they plan to use the rr right of way, but I travel between Monterey to Algood via woodcliff rd. and have watched the progress of the train tracks and I just cant see it being easy to develop a trail along the route without aquiring property.

There are sections between Algood and Monterey where the engineers have determined they can't construct the trail in the right of way and will have to acquire private land. The last I heard they were concentrating on the Cookeville and Algood sections and saving the Algood to Monterey stretch until last.

I've also heard they're hoping that the landowners in question will donate the land and that one of the landowners has said h**l will freeze over first but that's second hand information, maybe slightly better than hearsay but I'm not sure how much.

[2mares]

That sounds about right to me. It will be interesting to see how things progress.

[CookevilleWeatherGuy]

Originally Posted by 2mares

I wonder if "they" will use eminant domain to obtain the land for the trails?

Some have violated the setbacks and built too close to the railroad tracks.....for those people, it was never 'their' land....

[2mares]

Yes, I have seen building almost on the tracks. What is the deal with the setbacks? I vaugely remember when the rr left about 20 yrs. ago and some property owners, bought the right of way that ajoined their property. At least thats what I heard. I do know some that fenced it in.

[strumpeace]

Rails to Trails projects typically utilize abandoned rail lines. The railroad companies are glad to give those away because they don't want to keep assuming liability for abandoned rails. All railroads have an easement/right-of-way that extends several feet out from the rail line. Where needed, eminent domain can be exercised for Rails to Trails projects because those projects serve a public interest.