Twin State Rail Trail Project Completes a Model Rail-With-Trail Feasibility Study

The Twin State Rail Trail Project originally aimed to create a nearly 200-mile connected rail trail system across northern Vermont and New Hampshire by linking the Ammonoosuc, Presidential, Lamoille Valley, and Missisquoi Valley Rail Trails. Central to this vision was a 38-mile segment of aging, decaying—but still “active”—rail corridor that was proposed for railbanking and conversion to rail trail, completing the unique regional connection for the longest rail trail in New England.

However, interest in restoring freight rail service along this 38-mile corridor has put a major wrench in these plans. To address the possibility of renewed rail activity, the Twin State Rail Trail Project Team has been exploring Rail-With-Trail solutions.

With funding from Rails to Trails Conservancy, an engineering feasibility study evaluated Rail-With-Trail options along a short but critical 0.3-mile section of rail corridor in Bethlehem, NH, part of the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail eastward extension projects. The study outlines practical alternatives for accommodating both trail users and an active rail line, plus provides information on this process for other rail trail organizations to utilize.