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Pike County court weighs CSX rail-trail but declines to file letter of intent without funding
Summary
Pike County Fiscal Court discussed pursuing 5.1 miles of abandoned CSX rail corridor for a bike-ped trail but decided not to submit a letter of intent by the Aug. 30 deadline without clear grant or state funding; officials cited high acquisition and development costs and possible reversion to private landowners.
Pike County Fiscal Court discussed whether to seek a 5.1-mile section of abandoned CSX railroad for conversion to a bike and pedestrian trail but did not authorize filing a letter of intent without outside funding.
Judge Jones introduced a request to authorize a letter of intent to the Surface Transportation Board. Sharon, a county staff member, told the court the railroad typically places a high appraisal on corridor parcels and a purchase would be needed rather than a free donation. She said applicants often must buy the corridor, secure grant funding, and pay substantial development costs to remove ties, grade and surface the rail bed.
Speakers offered cost estimates and cautioned about long-term obligations. Sharon and other speakers said acquisition plus development could range from a half‑million dollars to more than a million, depending on required grading and surfacing. Sharon noted some sections may revert to adjoining landowners if rail use ends, and at least one family had already raised concerns about reversion on the corridor under consideration.
Judge Jones and multiple commissioners agreed the county lacks funds now and would need grant or state support. Commissioner Atkins and others pointed to the Dawkins Trail project—funded directly by the state in some counties—as a possible model to explore rather than relying solely on local dollars. The court noted a letter of intent would not obligate the county to buy the corridor but would begin a process that typically requires a later proposal and funding plan.
Because the Surface Transportation Board’s notice requires a letter of intent by Aug. 30, the court directed staff to investigate potential state and grant sources and to return to the court rather than file immediately. No formal authorization to submit the letter was adopted at the meeting.
Next steps: staff will explore state and grant funding options and report back to the court; the court may consider a special meeting if viable funding surfaces.
