Montour Trail Facelift In The Works

The plans of a Westland Branch of the Montour Trail have sat unfulfilled because of a lack of funds and resources. Thanks to an agreement between the Montour Trail Council and MarkWest Energy, that stretch will be a reality for walkers and bikers in 2011.

MarkWest will also be working with Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad to restore the railway that will run paralell to the portion of trail near state Route 519 between Cecil and Hickory so it can ship natural gas liquids to the main railroad line in the township. That move will reduce tanker traffic by more than 60 percent, plant Manager Greg Sullivan said at a public meeting last week in

"We want to ensure that what we own and operate is safe and cost efficient," he said.

One railcar is capable of carrying the equivalent of three tanker-loads of fuel. This will not only be an earth-friendly move, but will improve road safety and reduce the wear and tear these trucks cause on the roadways.

A major aspect of the agreement between the two parties calls for MarkWest to construct a bike and pedestrian trail along the siderail, adding four-and-a-half miles to the existing trail, which already spans about 46 miles.

A 4-foot high fence will be constructed to separate the trail from the railroad. In addition, two trailheads will be constructed, which will provide parking for those using the trail.

Ned Williams, president of the Montour Trail Council, said this agreement will not only lengthen the trail, but meets the council's three main goals: to be good neighbors in the communities it serves, to promote health and safety and to have a positive impact on the environment.

Negotiations between the two parties lasted about 15 months, which came as a surprise to affected residents, who heard about the changes less than a week before the Dec. 8 meeting was held.

"It just seems like they have everything planned already. They didn't get much input from anybody," said Robert Cowden, a property owner in McDonald.

Cowden said his family has run a farm along this line for six generations, and his property lies on both side of the tracks. He tried unsuccessfully to buy the right of way from the council previously. He said the fact this deal was happening with MarkWest added to his surprise.

Now he is left wondering how this will effect his every-day operations as he braces for the preparation work to begin as early as this month.

Another resident expressed concern about how much noise there will be once the project is complete in the latter part of 2011. She said that while she and neighbors knew the Montour Trail may pass through, they never imagined the railroad would be restored.

Williams and council, though, said they see this as an opportunity to improve the trail for the people who enjoy it. Not only will MarkWest be building the four-and-a-half miles, the lease money being paid will create revenue that can be used to complete other projects and cover expenses for upkeep of the existing trail.

"We want to make sure the Montour Trail will be here for you, your children, your grandchildren, and possibly even their children," Williams said.