Title
Purchase or lease of the Norfolk & Southern abandon railroad right-of-way in Hudson, Ohio from the intersection of W. Barlow Road to State Route 303.
Brief Description: The City Officials met with the Norfolk Southern Railroad Right-of-way staff recently on site to inspect the railroad right-of-way, and to determine the condition of the rail lines. The segment of the railroad from the intersection of W. Barlow Road to State Route 303 is the section they may be willing to transfer to the City. The Railroad may be interested in selling or leasing the right-of-way to the City of Hudson, Ohio.
Body
Legislative History
21-0071 - Original Discussion
Purpose & Explanation
This abandoned railroad segment is bordered on the following City lands including, Ellsworth Golf Course, Cascade Park, Veterans Way Park and MacLaren Woods. It would also be the final segment of the proposed bike trail that the City received funding for from AMATS in 2021 south of W. Barlow Road to the south Corporation Line. This southern section is currently under review by the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) to convert the rail line to a trail. When the entire trail is completed in the next 5 years, this trail would commence at SR 303 and continue south through Hudson, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, and into Silver Lake. It will also intersect with the existing Summit County Metro Parks Trail that runs along the southern quadrants of Hudson.
The City Officials met with the Norfolk Southern Railroad Right-of-way staff recently to inspect the railroad right-of-way, and to determine the condition of the rail lines from the intersection of W. Barlow Road to State Route 303. The Railroad may be interested in selling or leasing the right-of-way to the City of Hudson, Ohio.
Timing Considerations
If a transfer of the right-of-way is approved by Norfolk and Southern Railroad, the process would be approximately 12 -18 months before the right-of-way could be transferred, depending on the extent of the work involved on the site and scheduling with the railroad.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
Supplemental Appropriation Required (Account #, $)
X Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
The City Administration recommends the City Council continue to negotiate with Norfolk and Southern Railroad on this segment of existing tracks and eventually convert this abandoned rail line into a future trail from W. Barlow Road to SR 303.
Submitted by,
Thomas J. Sheridan, City Manager
Frank Comeriato, Asst. City Manager - Operations
Bradley Kosco, P.E., P.S., City Engineer
Trent Wash, Asst. Public Works Director - Parks/Golf