In 1996, the state allowed train advocates a five-year opportunity to develop rail services, through private investment, along an inactive 90-mile rail line through the Adirondacks from Old Forge to Lake Placid. Despite tens of millions of dollars of state money spent to rehabilitate and maintain it, most of that rail line is now essentially abandoned. A nine-mile seasonal tourist railroad from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake contributes little to the region's economy.
More than 12,000 people and 350 local businesses have petitioned the state to allow an inexpensive rail-to-trail conversion of the Old Forge-to-Lake Placid corridor to bring tourists and benefit our economy.
North of Old Forge/Thendara, the corridor passes through three villages and eight towns. To date, all three villages and all but one of the towns have passed resolutions asking the state to review the corridor plan. No local government has passed a resolution to restore the train.
Train advocates have responded with demands that the state pay at least $15 million to restore the rail infrastructure. To try to appease trail supporters, they call for various ancillary trails that are neither feasible nor beneficial to the region's economy. Rail advocates have not offered a business plan, nor have they mentioned that they'd also need tens of millions more state dollars for newer rolling stock and to pay very substantial ongoing maintenance and operational costs.
If Gov. Andrew Cuomo is serious about promoting tourism and economic growth in the North Country, he should direct state government to review the corridor management plan, and approve the Adirondack Rail Trail.
David Banks is a board member of Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates