Kanawha Trestle Rail Trail
The Mountain State Wheelers Bicycle Club is a proud supporter of the creation of an urban trail in the heart of Kanawha Valley connecting Charleston, South Charleston and Coonskin Park. This project is 4 years old and gaining steam. Check out the awesome brochure ( PDF).
Congresswoman Capito has secured an $800,000.00 (Nov 2004) transportation appropriation to kick this project off. A transportation enhancement grant is pending with the state. If successful work will start on rehabilitating the CSX trestle across the Kanawha River in 2007 with a 2008 opening for the first phase of the trail system.
The city of Charleston has pledged $475,000.00 to use as match for the transportation enhancement grant.
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation has awarded this project $60,000.00 (Sept 2006) for land acquisition. This has given the project a tremendous boost as we start negotiations with the railroad.
CSX has agreed to donate the land and trestle valued at $375,000.00 towards this project.
We are promoting this project with a 10-year plan to bring a whole new way to recreate and commute on foot and bicycle. This linear park will literally connect the valleys many attractions with a pleasant green corridor.
To help us out please consider writing a letter to let city, county and state leaders know this is a project worthy of the residents of the area. Please read the Executive Summary to learn more about this wonderful project.