Dryden secures federal funding to complete Rail Trail

A year ago, Dan Lamb was worried. The concern from the town of Dryden’s deputy supervisor revolved around the ongoing $2.9 million Rail Trail project and the efforts to collect funding to complete it.

One of the biggest, if not the biggest, part of the project is the construction of a proposed prefabricated steel-truss bridge that would arch over Route 13 and connect the two sides of the trail, which stretches 11 miles as a whole.

Nearing completion a few years ago, the bridge project abruptly halted due to a lack of funds to cover it. Despite having raked in a large chunk of grant funding, it wasn’t enough.

“Projects like this take time, and sometimes, it creates barriers,” said Lamb, who noted this portion of the project has been talked about “for decades.”

Enter United States Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Town officials went through a process of applying for federal funding, leading to Gillibrand officially announcing May 6 at the Hallwoods Road side of the trail that the town would receive $700,000 in federal funding to complete the project.

“This bridge will be an asset to our community,” Gillibrand said. “This funding will close the gap that initially put this project on hold. This will connect the Dryden communities together and other parts of Tompkins County in a unique and sustainable way.”

Amid delays and some controversy, the Rail Trail Task Force “kept plugging along” at getting the necessary funds to cover the bridge project, said Task Force Chair Bob Beck.

“It’s an amazing teamwork effort for a community project,” he said.

In 2016, Beck said, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) suggested the town either build a bridge over Route 13 or a tunnel. The town chose the option of a bridge due to it “being less expensive,” he added.

“The Rail Trail Task Force decided to go for it and get that done,” he said.

With aid from Erdman Anthony, an engineering company based in Rochester that is assisting Dryden with the project, Beck anticipates construction of the bridge will begin in summer 2023 and wrap up at the end of next year.

“For decades, the story has been that the Dryden Rail Trail can’t be completed due to the challenge of crossing a busy state highway,” Lamb said. “With the help of [Gillibrand], we are rewriting that script.”

Along with the bridge, Beck said, the trail on each side of the bridge will transform into a stone-dust surface. Handicap-accessible ramps will be attached to both ends of the bridge, he added.

“People like [the stone-dust trail] more than pavement,” Beck added, noting the concept of the surface is similar to the Black Diamond Trail.

Gillibrand praised U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer for “doing his part to secure this funding” for the bridge project.

“Climate change wreaks havoc across our nation and our world,” Gillibrand said. “It’s so important that we do absolutely everything we can to help facilitate the shift from automobiles and the use of fossil fuels.”

Gillibrand continued that the bridge “will do just that,” opening an opportunity for county residents to commute by bicycling, walking or running on the trail.

“It will help the area’s trails to create more outdoor recreation and a greater appreciation for nature,” she said. “It will spur economic growth in Dryden.”

Fernando de Aragón, director of the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, reminisced about when the county first did a general-area trail study in 1996, which included the Rail Trail.

“Over the years, there have been a lot of successes, a few setbacks,” he said. “The bridge we’re celebrating today that will go over Route 13 is a critical project. We’ve really created the golden spike link [for this trail].”

De Aragón continued, “We’re getting this done. It bodes well for the countywide trail system.”

State Assemblyperson Anna Kelles echoed de Aragón’s words of the Dryden Rail Trail being “truly a world-class trail system.”

“It’s something to be proud of,” she said. “This is part of our tourism so the world can see, preserve and respect our nature. Not only will this create many miles of trails to support sustainable transportation and connectivity in our region; this outdoor recreation resource will also support local tourism and public health.”

The trail, which takes the place of an old rail bed, will soon have its final piece going from the village of Dryden to the Cornell University and Ithaca area.

“If someone, for example, wants to go from Etna to Ithaca on a bike, this will get them across Route 13 safely,” Beck said. “It’s a lot of pieces coming together.”

Dryden Dispatch appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com.

In brief:

Dryden Little League to host golf tournament May 22

The Dryden Little League is hosting a four-man captain-and-crew golf tournament on May 22 at Stonehedges Golf Course in Groton.

A few spaces are left for the tournament. The cost is $260 per team ($65 per person) and includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, gift bags and dinner to follow.

Prizes will be awarded at the tournament. There will also be closest-to-the-hole and putting green contests.

For more information or to fill out an application, send an email to mruse@twcny.rr.com.

Freeville Farmers Market begins sixth season

The Freeville Farmers Market recently began its sixth season and will run every Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. until September.

The farmers market is located at the Freeville Elementary School on 43 Main St. in the village.

For more information, visit freevillefarmersmarket.org or send an email to freevillefarmersmarket@gmail.com.