Design work to start soon on Phase 1 of Aurora rail trail

AURORA – The first step in the process of building a long-awaited rail trail through the city will kick off soon after City Council awarded a contract for design work for Phase 1 of the project.

The contract was awarded Oct. 24 to Environmental Design Group to provide design, surveying and grant writing services for a 2.84-mile stretch of trail along the new American Transmission System (FirstEnergy) electric lines from Chamberlain Road to Route 82.

The cost for the initial work will be $210,150. No federal funds will be used, but Clean Ohio Trail funds from the state might be available for construction. City officials hope EDG can start design work by the end of this year.

Council’s approval of the contract was not unanimous. John Kudley voted “no,” saying since 30 percent of the trail’s entirety from Chamberlain Road to Treat Road is in Mantua Township, officials there should be asked to contribute funding.

“I am 100 percent for the construction,” Kudley said. “But why is Aurora paying the entire cost? Why don’t we wait to act until we see whether the township is willing to chip in? At least wait until we get an answer from them.”

He said the trail will benefit Mantua Township residents just as much as it will Aurorans. “I cannot support [paying the entire cost]. I feel the township should foot its fair share, not only for the design, but the eventual construction.”

Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said the project is “a very significant regional, if not statewide and beyond statewide, project."

“During lengthy litigation and negotiations with FirstEnergy, we secured a recreational easement – something that we own along that corridor starting at Chamberlain Road. And about 40 percent of the 30 percent situated in the township abuts our Spring Hill Park," she said.

“This trail goes into our Train Station historic district, and I think it would help to improve that area. I believe it is in our best interest to construct this trail.”

The mayor pointed out the hike/bike trail project will take a while to come to fruition. “We have done a feasibility study this year and now will begin design,” she said.

“We expect to apply for grants next year, and if funding is available I think we would hope to start construction in 2024-25. It could take up to a year to complete.”

The proposed project calls for a 10-foot wide, asphalt-paved trail with 2-foot shoulders on each side along the new electric lines which follow an abandoned Norfolk Southern Railroad route.

“We are certainly excited about the prospect of finally building a multi-purpose trail and appreciate the recreational easement which FirstEnergy provided to us for this purpose,” said Womer Benjamin. “I know there are many enthusiasts in Aurora and elsewhere who are anxious for the trail to become a reality. However, the safety and privacy of our residents will continue to be my foremost concerns as this project moves forward.”

BACKGROUND INFO

Three years ago the city sought to buy the railroad corridor. However, NS sold it to FirstEnergy subsidiary ATS to upgrade its electricity system along about 5 miles of the line from Chamberlain Road to Treat Road.

In late 2020, the city agreed to settle a lawsuit over the rail line. The agreement gave the city control over some right-of-way issues and included restrictions on the expansion of power lines.

“Knowing that due to federal and state law regarding utilities the installation of the electric line was probably inevitable, so the city brought the action to ensure property values would be protected and the city could achieve some control over the right-of-way,” said law director Dean DePiero.

“This was accomplished in the settlement through reduced pole heights, relocation of poles away from residential properties, use of pole infrastructure already in place, a recreation easement and a robust landscaping budget to minimize the visual effects of the line on homeowners.”

“After a year and a half of negotiations, we have settled our differences with an agreement we believe achieves important accommodations for our community,” said Womer Benjamin after the city approved the settlement.

“With the expense and uncertainty of litigation, we believe we have acted in our community’s best interest. I appreciate FirstEnergy’s willingness to work with us to this end and anticipate continued cooperation as the line is installed.”

ATS called the improvements through Aurora the Northern Portage Reliability Project, and said it would strengthen the electricity grid for about 9,700 customers.

Norfolk Southern had owned what originally was part of the Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad, construction of which began in 1853.

It later became the Cleveland and Mahoning Valley Railroad, was leased to the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad in 1863, taken over by the Erie Railroad in 1896 and became part of the Conrail system in the 1960s before NS ownership.

The former Aurora depot is now occupied by Demming Financial Services, and a short section of track still runs by the depot to Route 82.

The Atlantic and Great Western Railroad – later the Erie – also operated a line from Levittsburg to Barberton, and built the Kent depot in 1875. That building was saved from demolition in the early 1980s and has housed various businesses.

The Akron-Barberton Cluster Railroad, owned by the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway, still operates on a portion of the line through Kent past the historic depot. Other sections of that line are now rail trails.

An 8.5-mile stretch of the line from Garrettsville to Mennonite Road west of Mantua Village is now the Headwaters Trail. The Portage Park District intends to extend the trail to Chamberlain Road, and Aurora officials hope it will continue to just north of Treat Road, and possibly into Solon some day.

Contact the newspaper at auroraadvocate@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Design work to start soon on Phase 1 of Aurora rail trail