May 28 2021
20 some miles of ERTS is open for business in 2021. We have left out the section between Pisgah and Hartland because, in their infinite wisdom, someone has placed large concrete barriers along that section of the trail. Those 6 barriers make it almost impossible to ride a bike , horse, horse drawn wagon, or baby stroller. It's awful to say the least.
There's a section of rails still in place from Dundon up towards Widen. That stretch is around 19 miles in length. The plan is to leave those rails in place in hopes of a state contracted train ride of some type to develop. For that last five years, the Clayberry Business Development Authority (BDA) has operated a pedal car and Jitney ride on about 5 miles of that spur line.
This year, the pedal car ride is not in operation due to proposed construction and upgrades to old BC&G rail line. Some are saying, the pedal car fun may return to operation later this Summer, after construction crews have finished repairing the tracks on the first few miles.
Finally for the notes. The Great Wash flood in 2016 wiped out the old tracks and trestles in many places. FEMA came in and said they would provide the $$$ for the repairs.. or at least repair the sections damaged by the flood waters. Do far, FEMA has allowed around $4.3 million for that end.
Since the flood, the BDA has been working thru the paperwork and thinks, everything is in order to bid the work. That bidding took place on May 28th in the BDA office (old State Road garage)
Ever wonder how the contractor is going to replace 13,000 ties and put the rails back in order? We don't know but dug up this automatic machine on You Tube. Have a looks see.
OK. You're up to date. Here's the info from the Bid Opening
At 11am on the 28th, three BDAers were on hand. engineer Paul Maddox, Cindy Butler from the West Virginia Rail Authority, and the Ace Cub Reporter. Two others participated via their cell phone. One was Harvey Stone with Stone Construction. The other was the project consultant, Ryan Frykholm.
Six sealed bids arrived by the deadline. Before any numbers were made public, the engineer made sure each packet was complete. In addition to the total bid amount, each bidder had to show proof of insurance, bond, worker's comp, comply with other Federal Reg's, and blah blah blah.
Bidding went like this.
Frontier Railroad Services (PA) $5,667,218
Chesapeake Welding DBA as CTW (W. Va) $5,594,159.30
Orders Construction (W Va) $8,635,143.80
Andevack Construction / Excavating (Ohio) $7,835,635
Gregoree Construction (PA) $6,405,689
Rail Works Track Service (?) $7,253,684.90
BDA Chair Mitch DeBoard says, the three lowest bidders will be interviewed for compliance.
All permits needed for the construction are now in order.
Workers should be on the job by July 15.
In the way of chit chat, Cindy Butler with the Rail Authority told the assembled, she feels the entire enchilada (main line and spur) will be turned over to the State Park system sometime this Summer.
Now if you're wondering about FEMA only providing $4.3 M and the bids comin in over that amount... DeBoard told his Board, a couple months ago, more $$$ are available from FEMA.
There are still naysayers in the audience. Many still saying, this ain't going to happen or what a waste of $$$.
Well, parts of ERTS opened last Summer and one media outlet reported over 22,000 people used that section in 2021.
This spur line is important, when completed, there were will another 14 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trail beside the upgraded railroad tracks. Train rides attract loads of tourists. The BDA ride will be different from the many steam rides in the region.
When completed, the pedal car rides will resume as well as a rail bus offering.
When the State takes over the who thang, those folks have a big budget for marketing.. something we really need and right away!
The wheels are rolling readers, get aboard.
AW