Letters bolster support for grants for Lower Trail

Proposed project would extend paved section

Plans to reconstruct various sections of the Lower Trail to eliminate hazardous conditions got a boost from Blair County Planning Commission members who approved letters of support for three grants.

Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania Inc., which owns and operates the 17-mile long multi-use rail trail, is seeking funding from the PennDOT Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside program. If that money would come through, additional funding sources may be needed. That's why planning commission members also approved letters of support for grants through the state Department of Community and Economic Development Multimodal Transportation Program and the Appalachian Regional Commission grant program.

"We are only applying for the TASA grant," said Marty Marasco, grant administrator for Keller Engineers Inc., which is applying for the funding. Funds from the other programs could be used for the work, but applications for the funding are not being submitted at this time, he said.

Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission has contacted Appalachian Regional Commission to see if they can assist with the project, Marasco said.

The reconstruction work would be along a 5.9-mile section of the trail from Williamsburg Borough to just south of the intersection of Polecat Hollow Road and Fox Run Road.

The proposed project also includes extending the trail pavement from the Covedale trailhead to the Mount Etna trailhead for an additional 2.7 miles.

"There are a number of roots and cracks under the paved section. We've had a lot of complaints about the condition of the trail and comments from users that they would like to see the paved section extended from Covedale," said Rails to Trails board member Karl King.

The total project cost would be $1,043,500, Marasco said.

"Under the TASA program, we are pursuing a grant of $958,500 for construction," he said. "To get ready for the project, we would need another $85,000."

"In Keller's original request for planning commission support for the project, it was mentioned we might also seek funding from the Multi-Modal program as well as the Appalachian Regional commission to help defray the planning and design costs of the project. Those costs would only be incurred if the Transportation Alternatives funds are approved and would have to be borne by Rails to Trails or through grants awarded to Rails to Trails,'' King said.

The local group is competing statewide for the funding, King said, but hopes to get approval. If Rails to Trails gets the funds, construction would likely begin in either 2025 or 2026, he added.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.