Shelby rail trail: Millions procured, millions more needed

After more than a decade of planning and dreaming, construction on a segment of the long-anticipated Shelby rail trail is set to begin over the next few months.

City Manager Rick Howell said a section of the trail they are calling Phase 1a, which runs from the north side of Marion to Grover Street, will go out for bidding in the first quarter of this year, and, depending on pricing and approval by City Council members, construction will start soon after. Other portions of the trail are being designed.

Howell said the section of the trail that is within city limits — approximately between Dekalb and Grover streets — is under engineering design and is expected to be completed by late spring or early summer.

“Engineering basically entails all the normal things you do…surveying, evaluation of existing drainage systems and looking at what has to happen in order to meet DOT standards to cross a DOT street, which may include additional signage and striping,” he said. “It will be a design of the trail so it is ready to go to bid and meet DOT standards.”

Howell said the engineering phase was funded by local dollars in anticipation of paving the way for future grant awards.

“If you show there is local commitment to the project it helps with grant applications,” he said.

Related: Shelby Mayor Stan Anthony: What we did in 2021, what's to come in 2022

Previous coverage: Public input positive for park attached to Shelby Rail Trail

Funding the rest of the project

So far the city has received a total of $6.1 million in grants for the project.

The total cost is estimated at $25 million.

Howell said that is a high end estimate but given the rising construction costs and pricing, the city wanted to be conservative in its planning.

Funding still remains an issue. The city applied for a large grant in 2020 and 2021 but did not receive it. They intend to apply again this year.

Howell said it is a very sought after grant with around 700 applications submitted and only around 70 projects funded.

“It is very competitive with lots of worthwhile projects so you really have to be on top of your game and meet administrative priorities,” Howell said. “We've improved our application each time, and we'll be debriefing and working with our grant writer and other partners to make it better.”

The city intends to resubmit in July.

“I want to be optimistic, and we'll do our best to compete for the funding. We think it will be a very worthwhile project not only for Cleveland County but the surrounding regions. From a wellness perspective, transportation perspective, recreation perspective,” he said. “We’re hopeful it will be an economic catalyst for the areas that are served by the rail trail.”

He cited the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, South Carolina, as an example of the economic development opportunities that trails bring with them.

In addition to the $6.1 million in state and federal funding already received, Howell said the city has a little over $1 million in private donations, and the city has set aside around $4 million over the past several years.

“Obviously how much we are able to do depends on bids that come in and cost of materials,” he said. “We will move forward and spend the money we do have, but pricing may mean we have to break it into smaller segments and complete it in smaller segments as we go along.”

There will not be any city funding spent outside city limits.

Building the trail

The city has to factor in crossings of heavily trafficked DOT streets, including Warren and Dekalb, which have to comply with DOT standards. In addition, there are three trestles that are located on the trail that still have to be evaluated for structural integrity. Howell said the city is planning for extensive work on those trestles.

“It may not be as expensive or difficult as we’re anticipating, but we’re trying to be conservative and careful about our approach to the project,” he said.

Steady progress is being made.

Last May, a litter sweep sponsored by the city’s storm water division and Keep Shelby Beautiful, was held on Market Street to clean up the area that will one day be a depot park featuring an amphitheater, splash park, playground and other amenities.

A copy of the rail trail master plan is available for viewing on the city of Shelby’s website. The plan displays a map of the route, details the project goals, and includes public comments from prior meetings, including the various features people would like to see integrated into the trail, such as water fountains, dog stations and increased connections to neighborhoods.

The trail, which has been years in the making, is set to see the first phase begin as soon as February.

The trail follows the former Norfolk Southern train tracks and will wind through the heart of Shelby, through Patterson Springs and end at the South Carolina state line near Earl.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Millions procured, millions more needed for Shelby rail trail