County staff told the redevelopment commission May 8 that Norfolk Southern (via its consultant STV) had recently provided comments on the Muncie Industrial Center trail design, triggering follow‑up and prompting the county to seek clearer timing from the railroad and its consultant.

Staff said the commission's engineering firm, BS Engineering, had not been copied on some communications and that last‑night correspondence included requests tied to standard public‑project requirements. During the call, a representative referenced a previously unshared "Phase 3" that would extend the trail farther; staff and commissioners said they had not been briefed on Phase 3 and asked for additional information.

The board set a follow‑up meeting with the engineer and Norfolk Southern representatives for May 23 and tabled the agenda item pending that discussion. Commission staff said they will distribute the railroad's comments and updated timeline once they are received and asked to be copied on further correspondence so the commission can provide real‑time updates.

Why it matters: The trail project requires railroad coordination and easements; late railroad comments and the sudden mention of a further phase could delay design, bidding and construction schedules. Commissioners requested clarity about whether the previously projected early‑fall construction window remains viable.