Tomorrows meeting is again, about the Extension of the Demonstration Train run in El Dorado. The county on Monday brought in a revised Resolution that had the same boundaries. I am not sure if the author of the resolution really thought they could slip this by us again? I would hope that the next revision will address this issue. Will they try to slip it by us for a third time? We have offered to help write the resolution, and we were not included. I hope the author of the resolution understands that it would be easier if a trail representative was present at the resolution discussions and we could give input. This resolution is becoming a wedge between the two groups and the author is responsible for the added tension and waste of time. Supervisor Sweeney brought this resolution to the Board. Sweeney or someone at the Museum is responsible for this failed attempt to overrun the process, it will not work. We are on it!
If the boundaries are not addressed and the resolution is returned to the Board of Supes for a vote, then we will respond with all we have, to let the county know where the majority stands. The more unreasonable the resolution author appears, the more the tension grows.
I would hope the El Dorado Western Guys understand that our offer of support is real. It may take time for them to realize we want them to succeed and we understand the uphill battle they face. They have enormous financial constraints, and will need hundreds of volunteers hours to repair and lay track on the initial short section between El Dorado and Blanchard. To extend the length of the Train Run, seems premature. There is a real question of financial and operational viability.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Trail Advisory Committee Meeting
The issue was an extension of boundaries for the Demonstration Train run, at the El Dorado Train Park. This resolution defined the Train run boundaries at 3.5 miles or so, which is 2.75 miles more than had been discussed to date. I know it is only 2.75 miles, but it is significant when thinking of trail development. It may cost 1 to 2 million dollars more to build next to the line and that makes trail development expensive. We suggested keeping the original .75 distance for now.
There is a grant application for the Park and the Trail that may be awarded in Fall of this year. It may bring in 1 million for trail development and that would be great, but how far does 1 million go? Our experience on the most recently completed section of trail, from Forni to Missouri Flat Road, was approximately $450,000 per mile. That section was done mostly on the old rail bed and one section, off the bed, was very expensive. The 2.2 miles from Missouri Flat to the Train Park would be off the rail bed. 1 mil, less 20% for DOT project management and engineering, would leave us with $800,000. Divide that by 2.2 would leave $360,000 per mile and that is $90,000 less per mile than the recent, on the bed, build out. Seems like a stretch. Then there is the other 2.3 miles from the park to the west with the new Resolution boundaries of Mother Lode Drive. There is no money for this part of the extended boundaries. The trail would be forced to the side and we may need another million or two to build it out.
This resolution could be done in three phases.
1) Keep the original .75 miles. Trail can be put with ease along this section of track.
2) If we get the Grant in the fall, and the trail can be built for $360,000 per mile, then let the Demonstration Train extend to Missouri Flat Road
3) Get a good estimate of the cost to build out the trail from the park, to the West and to the Mother lode Wye, and then make a decision on feasibility and extending the Demonstration Train.
These aren't all my ideas, but are some thoughts that have been batted around lately. I hope the Train folks can relax some and realize that we can build both together, and there is no need to push the Train options ahead, with no regard for the Trail.
There is a grant application for the Park and the Trail that may be awarded in Fall of this year. It may bring in 1 million for trail development and that would be great, but how far does 1 million go? Our experience on the most recently completed section of trail, from Forni to Missouri Flat Road, was approximately $450,000 per mile. That section was done mostly on the old rail bed and one section, off the bed, was very expensive. The 2.2 miles from Missouri Flat to the Train Park would be off the rail bed. 1 mil, less 20% for DOT project management and engineering, would leave us with $800,000. Divide that by 2.2 would leave $360,000 per mile and that is $90,000 less per mile than the recent, on the bed, build out. Seems like a stretch. Then there is the other 2.3 miles from the park to the west with the new Resolution boundaries of Mother Lode Drive. There is no money for this part of the extended boundaries. The trail would be forced to the side and we may need another million or two to build it out.
This resolution could be done in three phases.
1) Keep the original .75 miles. Trail can be put with ease along this section of track.
2) If we get the Grant in the fall, and the trail can be built for $360,000 per mile, then let the Demonstration Train extend to Missouri Flat Road
3) Get a good estimate of the cost to build out the trail from the park, to the West and to the Mother lode Wye, and then make a decision on feasibility and extending the Demonstration Train.
These aren't all my ideas, but are some thoughts that have been batted around lately. I hope the Train folks can relax some and realize that we can build both together, and there is no need to push the Train options ahead, with no regard for the Trail.
The Friends of El Dorado Trail vision is a hiking , biking and equestrian trail extending across El Dorado County from El Dorado Hills to South Lake Tahoe. We are actively increasing support for trail development and have engaged hundreds of El Dorado County residents, through facebook and our web-sight, eldoradotrail.com. We are enthusiastically pursuing the connection of the existing trails in Placerville, to Folsom and eventually to Lake Tahoe. This would be a trail of National significance, and would complete the Cross-California Bike Trail. The Economic Success derived, from many trails around the country, dictates the critical need to have a regional trail and to make a connection with Folsom and the American River parkway.
Friends of the El Dorado Trail are taking over for Trailsnow, and many trail advocates that have been incredibly successful here in Placerville. The El Dorado Board of Supervisors, of years past, and this current board have been very supportive of trail development. They all need to be applauded for the wonderful trail we see from Camino, through Placerville and down to Missouri Flat Road. We want to continue this success and work with this board to 'connect' to Folsom and Lake Tahoe.
We have recently sent emails, to the El Dorado Board of Supervisors, expressing our desire for a Class I bike trail that connects our impressive trail here in Placerville, to both Folsom and Lake Tahoe. We felt the need to communicate with the Board directly, because we have not received a satisfactory response from the SPTC-JPA.
We have requested the JPA, to estimate the cost of trail development, adjacent to the rail line. We have asked for a low-cost estimate, a ‘Thirty- Thousand, foot look at the issue’, which could be done by the JPA staff, who are more than qualified to generate some general numbers, at very minimal cost. The JPA uses staff time to actively support the exploration of a future Excursion Rail, we believe the staff could also address our concerns. The JPA has refused to use their staff in this manner. So we presented numbers made available from credible sources.
The cost to build a Class I bike trail adjacent to the track (because the track are being used for excursion trains) is approximately 1 to 2 million more per mile (according the Rails to Trails Conservancy).
A company is available today, to pull up all the track and ties on the 28 mile corridor for free. It would cost approximately 10 to 12 million to pave a Class I bike trail, on the rail bed (no excursion trains).
The cost could go to $60 million to develop and build a trail bed and pave a trail adjacent to the rail line (the tracks remain in place and excursion trains are used on the entire 28 mile corridor).
The residents of El Dorado County need to know the true cost of an Excursion Train. This is the cost to build a Class I bike trail adjacent to the rail line, because the Excursion Train occupies the rail bed. This would give us all the ability to make an informed decision on how much track we want to give to an Excursion Train, if any, or how much track we want to pull for Class I bike Trail development. We asked the Board to direct our JPA representative to use the JPA staff to give us a low cost, general overview off the additional cost to build a Class I Bike trail, off the rail bed, from Folsom to Latrobe.
We will periodically share information with the Board of supervisors. Some topics in the future will be:
The county does have the right to pull up the tracks under the National Trails System Act "rails-to-trails provision"
There is money right now for the development of Trails. TigerI
There is a no cost alternative to pull up track and ties to connect with Folsom and ARP now. This would leave a improved gravel trail, and could be done for free.
The economic success of the American River Parkway, and how a connection to Folsom could bring Millions of dollars into EDC. These are numbers an Excursion Train can not compete with.
Mike Kenison
Friends of the El Dorado Trail
Friends of the El Dorado Trail are taking over for Trailsnow, and many trail advocates that have been incredibly successful here in Placerville. The El Dorado Board of Supervisors, of years past, and this current board have been very supportive of trail development. They all need to be applauded for the wonderful trail we see from Camino, through Placerville and down to Missouri Flat Road. We want to continue this success and work with this board to 'connect' to Folsom and Lake Tahoe.
We have recently sent emails, to the El Dorado Board of Supervisors, expressing our desire for a Class I bike trail that connects our impressive trail here in Placerville, to both Folsom and Lake Tahoe. We felt the need to communicate with the Board directly, because we have not received a satisfactory response from the SPTC-JPA.
We have requested the JPA, to estimate the cost of trail development, adjacent to the rail line. We have asked for a low-cost estimate, a ‘Thirty- Thousand, foot look at the issue’, which could be done by the JPA staff, who are more than qualified to generate some general numbers, at very minimal cost. The JPA uses staff time to actively support the exploration of a future Excursion Rail, we believe the staff could also address our concerns. The JPA has refused to use their staff in this manner. So we presented numbers made available from credible sources.
The cost to build a Class I bike trail adjacent to the track (because the track are being used for excursion trains) is approximately 1 to 2 million more per mile (according the Rails to Trails Conservancy).
A company is available today, to pull up all the track and ties on the 28 mile corridor for free. It would cost approximately 10 to 12 million to pave a Class I bike trail, on the rail bed (no excursion trains).
The cost could go to $60 million to develop and build a trail bed and pave a trail adjacent to the rail line (the tracks remain in place and excursion trains are used on the entire 28 mile corridor).
The residents of El Dorado County need to know the true cost of an Excursion Train. This is the cost to build a Class I bike trail adjacent to the rail line, because the Excursion Train occupies the rail bed. This would give us all the ability to make an informed decision on how much track we want to give to an Excursion Train, if any, or how much track we want to pull for Class I bike Trail development. We asked the Board to direct our JPA representative to use the JPA staff to give us a low cost, general overview off the additional cost to build a Class I Bike trail, off the rail bed, from Folsom to Latrobe.
We will periodically share information with the Board of supervisors. Some topics in the future will be:
The county does have the right to pull up the tracks under the National Trails System Act "rails-to-trails provision"
There is money right now for the development of Trails. TigerI
There is a no cost alternative to pull up track and ties to connect with Folsom and ARP now. This would leave a improved gravel trail, and could be done for free.
The economic success of the American River Parkway, and how a connection to Folsom could bring Millions of dollars into EDC. These are numbers an Excursion Train can not compete with.
Mike Kenison
Friends of the El Dorado Trail
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