Rails-to-Trails group wins board approval to submit DCNR grant for Lickdale crossing

Summary

Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails asked the county to support a DCNR grant application for Phase 10C — including an easement through a campground and a mid-block crossing of state Route Lickdale Road — and the commissioners approved submitting the application; project proponents said start of construction would depend on grant approval with an estimated 2027 timeline.

Tom Cote, representing Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails Inc., briefed the board on a proposed Phase 10C project to extend the Lehigh Valley trail across Lickdale Road by acquiring an easement through a campground and constructing a mid-block crossing. Cote said the project would connect to Swatara State Park and onward to regional trail systems, with construction intended to begin mid-2027 if grants allow and to finish in 2027–28 for the phase.

Cote described outstanding tasks: securing the campground easement (local sign-off already received; national management sign-off still pending), completing property acquisitions for a trailhead and finalizing engineering and cost details with Wilson Consulting Group. He said the team expects a cost estimate closer to $5.50 (transcript language referencing unit cost) and is working with PennDOT on a safe crossing design. Commissioners moved and approved submitting the required DCNR grant application by the April deadline.

The board expressed support for the multi-phase trail program, noted volunteer contributions and set a celebratory date (June 6) for a 30th-anniversary event tied to the rails-to-trails organization.