LEWISBURG -- A month after rail salvage work started clearing a path for the Union County Rails-to-Trails, a nine-mile trail linking Lewisburg with Mifflinburg, the project got a huge boost Friday when it received a $3.7 million state grant to fund the first phase of design and development.

According to Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority officials, the state Department of Transportation grant ensures the nearly 12-mile trail project continues to move forward and will take shape for public use, possibly by 2011.

"We are very pleased PennDOT recognized the merit of the Union County (Rails-to-Trails) and awarded an amount that should enable us to complete the entire first phase (nine miles) between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg," said Trey Casimir, LARA's board chairman.

The grant is being provided by the state Communities Transportation Initiative, also known as Smart Transportation. The goal of the program is to link transportation investments with land use planning and decision-making, according to Gov. Edward G. Rendell.

"PennDOT's investments will help us weather the current economic storm and make lasting community improvements for future generations," Rendell said. "These investments will stimulate the economy by putting people to work creating sustainable communities that will improve our quality of life and send a clear message that Pennsylvania is a great place to live and work."

According to LARA, the grant requires the project to begin bidding for contracts by Sept. 30, 2010. LARA officials said they anticipate opening the initial phase of the Rails-to-Trails for public use in 2011.

Jim Buck, LARA's interim executive director, said the trail design committee has already researched and interviewed several design teams for the project.

Shawn McLaughlin, Union County planning director, said the trail project fits nicely within the state's Smart Transportation principles, which encourages transportation planners to look at potential projects that are sensitive to non-motorized traffic.

"The fact that Union County's comprehensive planning process has revealed a desire among many residents for more and better forms of alternative transportation probably helps account for the success of the (Rails-to-Trails) grant application," said Shawn McLaughlin, county planning director. "Not to mention the proposed trail will offer convenient access to many key locations within the county."

Those locations, according to McLaughlin, include the majority of the school buildings and athletic fields in Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, the main parks and public pools in both boroughs, the Union County Public Library, the farmer's market in East Buffalo Township and densely populated residential areas.

The trail will also link downtown shopping districts of Lewisburg, Mifflinburg and Vicksburg, according to McLaughlin.

Nearly all of the steel rails have been removed from the railroad right-of-way, according to LARA officials, who said removal of wooden cross ties is currently under way. The right-of-way is not open for public use due to safety concerns, officials added.

LARA, which paid $220,000 last September for 11.8 miles of abandoned railroad track from the West Shore Railroad, will receive roughly $140,000 from the rail salvage work. The remaining portion of track, linking Lewisburg to Montandon, will be included in the second phase of design and development, according to officials.

LARA officials said they're continuing to work with adjacent property owners about their concerns over liability, privacy and safety issues regarding the trail use. A public meeting will be held to discuss the next step of the trail project at 7 p.m. June 10 at Burkholder's Gym in Buffalo Township.

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