Update on plans for Dryden Rail Trail

A couple of projects this year for the Dryden Rail Trail are in hopes of completion, with the goal in mind to connect all of the trails in Tompkins County.

The construction and installation of a prefabricated steel-truss pedestrian bridge over Route 13 will connect two sides of the trail. 

The bridge, which is projected to cost roughly $3 million, is seeing progress in breaking ground after years of delays and collecting funds.

The project includes a partnership between the town of Dryden, Erdman Anthony consultants and a half-dozen state Department of Transportation (DOT) employees. The DOT is overseeing the project, due to Route 13 being a state road.

“We’re moving forward,” said Bob Beck, chair of the Rail Trail Task Force. “Last little details still need to be finalized, but we’re really close.”

The $2.9 million pedestrian bridge project is being covered by $1.5 million from the DOT’s Transportation Alternative Program, $105,000 in grants from other entities, $700,000 from United States Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer and other sources.

“DOT provided a major part of the funding, so [the project] has to go through them,” Beck said.

Beck is “hoping to proceed” with bridge construction this year, but he noted the time frame “is uncertain.” Beck mentioned that requests for bids have been sent out. From there, all parties involved in the project will select a contractor for the work.

Deputy Town Supervisor Dan Lamb said in the past that the last piece to completely connect the Dryden Rail Trail is the part of the trail between Pinckney Road and the village of Freeville. Lamb added that the villages of Dryden and Freeville, including a stretch beyond Freeville, all have trail connections. Lower Creek Road, along with Etna, are factored into the connection.

“That will give people a nice connection for people on bicycles and so on,” Beck said.

The trail on Pinckney Road, however, involves the town working on requesting easements from landowners. This means the town will appease landowners with signage, fencing and more for the trail stretch.

Beck said the town recently received easements for two properties in the area of Pinckney Road. The town has about six easements in total, but Beck noted more are needed.

“We’re making a lot of progress,” Lamb said.

The goal, Beck added, is for pedestrians to stay off the Route 13 and Route 366 highways.

“We need more to get through that stretch,” Beck said. “That’s the big missing piece at this point. It’s an important connection to have.”

Beck said that once the connection from Freeville to Etna is complete, the rail trail will become a 14.5-mile trail.

“It’s become really important in connecting the trails across the county,” Beck said. “It’ll be nice when people can connect to different trails and different far places.”

Beck mentioned that the rail trail could have future connections, including ones to Dryden Central School District and Route 38, and Tompkins Cortland Community College down to North Street in the village. Details on these potential projects have yet to be determined.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Dryden elementary schools collecting food

The Dryden Central School District’s Cassavant, Dryden and Freeville elementary schools are collecting nonperishable food donations for the Dryden Kitchen Cupboard food pantry.

Food collection will take place until Feb. 9. Students can bring in cans or boxes of food to their respective elementary schools. DCSD is asking that students not bring in glass containers or expired items.

Dryden students to hold can drive in February

Students from Dryden Middle School are holding a bottle and can drive from Feb. 10-17 at the Clark’s Food Mart in the village of Dryden.

The money raised will go toward a trip to Hershey Park for eighth-grade students this year.

Yoga for Life held every Wednesday in Freeville

Village of Freeville resident Michelle Dardia hosts a Yoga for Life session every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Freeville United Methodist Church at 37 Main St.

The drop-in fee for the session is $10. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Some experience is helpful but not required, as the sessions are committed to being accessible.

Variations and modifications are offered, and extra mats and blocks will be available at each session.

For information or questions, contact Dardia at dollysdaughter@hotmail.com or 607-279-4785.

Book club to meet on Feb. 15

The Books & Brew club is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 1771 Dryden Rd. in the village of Freeville.

The theme for books in February is through the decades between 1900 and 1919. Any book set in that time period or about events, people and things during the time period can be shared with the club. The book can be a biography, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, an audio book or other options.

Some suggested books are on display at the Southworth Library at 24 W. Main St. in Dryden. To register for the club, go to southworthlibrary.org.