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Western MD Rail Trail
National Park Service is soliciting public comments on Western Maryland Rail Trail through August 15
Last fall, the NPS, which owns and will administer the rest of the Western Maryland Rail Trail, solicited public comment on the extension of the trail from its present western terminus at Pearre Station to the Paw Paw Tunnel parking lot. At that time, the plan was to use two of the three tunnels, bypassing the Indigo Tunnel, which is one of the largest bat hibernacula on the East Coast. Since then, it has been determined that the other tunnels provide bat habitat and should also be bypassed. Hence, a second round of public comments is being solicited. The comment period ends on August 15, 2011. Written comments must be postmarked by midnight on that date.I attended the public meeting at Hancock on July 13. See http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=14837 , then click on Open For Comment (1) to see the info that we were given at the meeting. The site also has a questionaire whch provides an easy way to make comments at
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=177&projectID=14837&documentID=41808 then click on the box Comment on Document
There are drawings available showing potental plans for the tunnel bypasses, which would detour riders onto the canal towpath or Kasecamp Rd. These drawings are available at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=177&projectID=14837&documentID=41808 Then click on Public Meeting Information Posters Due to the difference in elevation between the rail bed and the tow path, ramps will be used to make the transition. One of the ramp surfaces discussed at the meeting was steel grating. Since wet steel gratings are very hazardous to cyclists or those walking in cleated shoes, it's important to point this out in your comments. Pressure treated wood and pre-cast concrete are also being considered. Either of these is an acceptable alternate.
It's important to remember that the WMRT accommodates road bikes, while the towpath does not, so the portions of the towpath being used for the bypasses need to have at least a tight packed stone surface such as the Great Allegheny Passage has. Paving probably won't happen due to the historic nature of the towpath.
Alternative 3 would end at Potomac Bridge #4, short of the eventual terminus at Paw Paw. It would allow for a future extension to Paw Paw along the B & O Low Line to Paw Paw. The B & O Low Line is presently an unpaved railroad bed. Alternative 4 would use the Paw Paw tunnel, which is very unsuitable for road cyclists, and preclude the use of the Low Line. I believe Alternative #3 is the best at this time. If funding is committed to build #4, it is highly unlikely that the Low Line would ever be converted to rail trail in the future.
This project will open up one of the most scenic and remote areas of the Potomac Valley to road cyclists and other users. Another benefit is that it will provide cross state touring cyclists with an alternate route which bypasses the mountains between Hancock and Cumberland.
If you have questions, let me know. It's important that the Park Service receive as many positive comments on the project as possible. Feel free to send this info to as many of your biking buddies as possible.
Dick Cushwa
rcushwa@msn.com
Cumberland Valley Cycling Club
