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Rails to Trails, or Rails to Rails?

Posted by: Tim Halbur
Thanks to: kpa518
29 January 2010 - 12:00pm

An unused right-of-way between Lansdale, PA and Bethlehem is being contested between those that want to return it to passenger rail service and those that want to turn it into a linear park.

Reporter Paul Nussbaum writes, "In Bucks County, planners hope to restore passenger rail service to an area that lost it 29 years ago. Just to the north, in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, workers have removed the old rails to make way for an eight-mile-long Saucon Valley Trail.

In that corner of southeastern Pennsylvania, two national trends - for rails and for trails - converge. And SEPTA, which owns the old Bethlehem route, has a foot in each camp."

Full Story: How to use old Bethlehem rail line?
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, January 29, 2010
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Needed: Rails With Trails

Submitted by HRPlanner on Sat, 01/30/2010 - 10:54.

This is a perfect example of why we need to plan for rails w/trails. It is possible to construct trails next to rail lines so that both trails and passenger rail are provided for- I haven't seen it, but have heard it is happening.

Clearly, we need expanded passenger rail in our communities to reduce auto dependence/provide more transit options. And, we also need more walkable green spaces.

Providing for rails w/ trails is the best solution.

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