Nov 24 2021
First, we've been
very slow to provide updates on the ERTS State Park during the
last two months. It's not for having lazy-butt-itus! Instead,
back in early Sept, left overs' from Hurricane Ida came thru
and wiped out ERTS. For all intents and purpose, ERTS was
impassable. Based on recent emails from those that have tried
to use ERTS, many of the crappy conditions remain today.
For instance, a couple weeks ago, we had three trailer loads of horses and riders in the county. After just a few steps, that out of county group turned back, loaded up and left ERTS. They couldn't take a chance on injuring their mounts.
The ace Cub Reporter has over 500 miles on his bike with all that time spent on ERTS. Since late August 2021, he ain't been back.
So... with that 20 some miles of trail closed, we've switched our attention over to the FEMA paid for, BC&G RR upgrade project which got under way July 15th of this year. When completed next Spring (early Summer) the rails will be fit for a tourism rail ride operation and be included in the ERTS State Park. Along side the 17 mile rail will be a hiking, biking, horseback riding trail.
Lot's of core work has been completed. During a recent BDA meeting, BDA Chair Mitch DeBoard commented, about 20% of the $7+M project has been completed.
We've seen culverts replaced, concrete foundations for bridges completed, brush cleared and more.
This week, we've been watching one of the work crews working from Cressmont up creek heading to Widen. While it's true there is a shortage of cross ties on hand, this crew has been removing the old rotting ties in prep for installation. When all completed, over 13,000 new ties will be in use.
Back some months ago, one of the workers said, they were expecting the boat load of ties to be delivered in Dec. We hope so!
For instance, a couple weeks ago, we had three trailer loads of horses and riders in the county. After just a few steps, that out of county group turned back, loaded up and left ERTS. They couldn't take a chance on injuring their mounts.
The ace Cub Reporter has over 500 miles on his bike with all that time spent on ERTS. Since late August 2021, he ain't been back.
So... with that 20 some miles of trail closed, we've switched our attention over to the FEMA paid for, BC&G RR upgrade project which got under way July 15th of this year. When completed next Spring (early Summer) the rails will be fit for a tourism rail ride operation and be included in the ERTS State Park. Along side the 17 mile rail will be a hiking, biking, horseback riding trail.
Lot's of core work has been completed. During a recent BDA meeting, BDA Chair Mitch DeBoard commented, about 20% of the $7+M project has been completed.
We've seen culverts replaced, concrete foundations for bridges completed, brush cleared and more.
This week, we've been watching one of the work crews working from Cressmont up creek heading to Widen. While it's true there is a shortage of cross ties on hand, this crew has been removing the old rotting ties in prep for installation. When all completed, over 13,000 new ties will be in use.
Back some months ago, one of the workers said, they were expecting the boat load of ties to be delivered in Dec. We hope so!
This piece of
equipment has been busy this week pulling out the old ties. In
places it looks like every third tie is being replaced. In
other places, where the ties are rotten to the core, more ties
are steadying up the rails.
AW