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Trail News 2009
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Stimulus Bill to Infuse $10 Million Into Indiana TrailsThe 2009 Federal stimulus package promises to effectively double the average allotment of federal transportation funds designated for trail projects in Indiana this year. Indiana's total share of funding for transportation is set at approximately $657 million, three percent of which the bill calls to be used toward Transporation Enhancement (TE) projects. Generally about half of TE projects are trail oriented, which will result in approximately $10 million of the stimulus going toward trails. Indiana also receives federal funds annually from the transportation bill, a package drawn up by Congress and renewed every 6 years. TE funds from this bill have held steady at 10% of the total allotment, or about $10 million annually in recent years toward trail projects in Indiana. The exact projects toward which the stimulus funding is directed are not yet known, although they will be decided at the state level, most likely by INDOT. All projects are assumed to be ready for immediate construction, which for trails implies that all land acquisition and design details have been completed. Monon Trail Joins National Trail Hall of FameThe national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is recognizing exemplary rail-trails around the country for induction into its Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. A new trail will be selected by the Washington D.C. based organization once each month on merits such as scenic value, high use, trail and trailside amenities, historical significance, excellence in management and maintenance of facility, community connections and geographic distribution. The month of March 2009 became the Monon Trail's turn to enter the official ranks of the nation's best rail-trails. The Monon also boasts one of the highest usage rates for any trail in the nation, with over 3 million annual visitors along its 15-mile length through Carmel and Indianapolis. Promotion of the program will include award signage for the trail, a special Trail of the Month feature on Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Web site, and coverage in Rails to Trails magazine. The five-year program will run through December 2011 when the 25th—and final—Rail-Trail Hall of Fame inductee will be selected to coincide with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's 25th Anniversary. The Monon Trail's induction will also receive special recognition at the Greenways Foundation's annual luncheon fundraiser, in Indianapolis on March 24th. RTC's president, Keith Laughlin, will speak and present the award. |
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