Rails-with-Trails: Lessons Learned

SECTION II: Case Studies (cont.)

Case Study Summaries < 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 >

Schuylkill River Trail.
Norristown, PA

Schuylkill River Trail
Norristown, Pennsylvania

STATUS Existing, opened 1993

DESCRIPTION This approximately 6.4 km (4 mi) long RWT facility, located primarily in Norristown, is part of the 35 km (22 mi) Schuylkill River Trail connecting Philadelphia with Valley Forge. Approximately 3.2 km (2 mi) are located on Norfolk Southern Railroad Company property. The other two miles are adjacent to an active SEPTA right-of-way. About 20 freight and commuter rail trains operate on the track at speeds between 32 km/h to 64 km/h (20 to 40 mi/h). Montgomery County owns and operates the trail easement.

DESIGN The asphalt trail is 3 to 3.6 m (10 to 12 ft) wide. The setback between the trail and track centerline varies through the corridor, with the closest point being about 3 m (10 ft). A wrought iron fence also separates the tracks and the trail adjacent to the Norristown Transit Center. A split rail fence is in place in the area where the trail is within 3 m (10 ft) of the tracks.

PROBLEMS Officials observe some trespassing in the area adjacent to the trail, although the activity does not appear to be related to the trail. In fact, the presence of other trail users appears to deter incidences of trespassing and vandalism.

OTHER The process for approving the trail was long and difficult. The trail promoters involved the railroad in both the trail feasibility study and design phase. An easement agreement with the railroad stipulated that the railroad had final approval of the trail design, specifically with fencing and distance from centerline.

The highly utilized Elliot Bay Trail parallels the BNSF switching yard along a portion of the waterfront. Seattle, WA

Seattle Waterfront Trail / Elliott Bay Trail
Seattle, Washington

STATUS Existing, opened 1989

DESCRIPTION These two contiguous trails combine for a total length of approximately 9.7 km (6 mi). They run along the waterfront from the heart of downtown Seattle north to the Interbay area. The City of Seattle owns the right-of-way, which it purchased in the late 1980s. The BNSF Railway operates up to 60 passenger and freight trains daily on the street right-of-way, parallel to the trails. Train speeds vary from 64 km/h (40 mi/h) for passenger and 56 km/h (35 mi/h) for freight trains.

DESIGN The trail has three distinct sections. The southern third, downtown, is close to a rail line that carries four slow-moving trolleys per hour. This section is an area dominated by bicycles and pedestrians. Much of the trail traffic consists of tourists and downtown workers getting exercise or simply taking in the views.

The middle section is in Myrtle Edwards Park. It is directly on the waterfront, surrounded by landscaping, set back from the tracks by about 30 m (100 ft), and separated by a 3 m (10 ft) high chain link fence and landscaping. The trail surface is old, bumpy, and curvy.

The northern section runs through the rail yards. In most parts, chain link fences and tracks closely border the trail on both sides, with almost no landscaping. The path is so narrow at several points that multiple warning signs are needed to help avoid collisions between users. The trail is lighted and has night use.

PROBLEMS Officials report few significant problems with trespassing or vandalism. However, motorists sometimes drive on the trail and have hit trolley cars.

Location of the future Springwater Corridor Trail Extension along the Oregon Pacific Railroad tracks. Portland, OR

Springwater Corridor Extension
Portland, Oregon

STATUS Planned, construction slated for fall 2002

DESCRIPTION This 4.8 km (3 mi) long project is bounded on the west side by the Willamette River, and on the east by railroad tracks and relatively high-density neighborhoods, a wildlife sanctuary, and a semi-industrial district. Metro, the regional government, owns the land on which the Oregon Pacific Railroad (OPR) runs short-line freight and excursion trains. OPR operates freight trains three times a week in winter and tourist excursion trains five times a day in the summer. The maximum train speed is 32 km/h (20 mi/h).

The trail is to be managed by the City of Portland Parks Bureau. It will be a commuter and recreational trail with a projected half-million annual users.

DESIGN The City will install a 1.2 m (4 ft) tall chain link fence and two pedestrian under-crossings. The trail will be 2.6 m (8.5 ft) from the centerline of the track to the fence, plus an additional 0.6 m (2 ft) to the trail.

PROBLEMS Officials report a long history of trespassing activity in the form of recreational walking, jogging, and bicycling on, along, and crossing the tracks to reach the Willamette River. The fence and pedestrian undercrossings should eliminate these problems.

OTHER The trail planning process between the City of Portland and the OPR was contentious and difficult due to a history of OPR track maintenance and construction incidents. Metro's involvement through an open space acquisition program helped: it provided financial incentives to OPR by purchasing part of its easement, hiring OPR for certain construction elements, and including design features to reduce trespassing.

Current illegal crossing location over CSX tracks on Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Pittsburgh, PA

Three Rivers Heritage Trail
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

STATUS Planned, not built as of June 2002

DESCRIPTION The Three Rivers Heritage Trail will be a 4 km (2.5 mi) extension of an existing trail on the north side of the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh. Friends of the Riverfront purchased the property from the CSX Railroad, which retains ownership of the railroad line. CSX operates 20 to 25 trains per day at speeds of up to 40 km/h (25 mi/h).

DESIGN As a condition of sale of the property, CSX Railroad is requiring a chain link fence the entire length of the trail. This fence must be built before the trail is constructed. The fence will be located at least 15 to 20 m (50 to 65 ft) from the centerline of the tracks.

PROBLEMS Trespassing concerns are focused on the area near Becks Run Road where many people cross the tracks to access the river for fishing.

OTHER A lesson learned from this RWT is to identify all potential partners early in the planning process. When the utility companies became more involved in the planning and negotiation for the trail property, the process moved forward at a faster pace. Water and sewer utilities are strong supporters of the trail, according to the trail manager, because the trail will provide better access for their maintenance vehicles.