Kentucky House Bill 221, An Act Relating to a Rails to Trails Program, was enacted in 2000. It created and set out the responsibilities for the state Rail Trail Development Office, detailed various provisions to encourage the process of converting abandoned rail lines to recreational uses, and called for the Department for Local Government to inventory and assess the Commonwealths abandoned railroad resources. The Department for Local Government contracted with the Kentucky Transportation Center at the University of Kentucky to perform the research. At the peak, Kentucky had approximately 4,000 miles of rail lines. As of 2001, this number had been reduced to 2,760 miles. Changes in the railroad industry and shifts in the industries and communities served by the railroads have contributed to the loss of rail mileage. Around the United States abandoned railroad rights of way have been converted into linear parks that benefit their communities by providing recreational opportunities, alternative transportation, and promoting preservation of natural and historic resources. This report provides an inventory of Kentuckys abandoned rail lines and a detailed assessment to highlight the lines that may be the most suitable for future trail use. A secondary purpose of the report was to inventory historic railroad structures. Over 125 different abandoned rail lines were identified, mapped using GIS technology, and assessed for their current use and condition. These abandoned rights of way exist in all regions of the state, in urban and rural areas.


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    Title :

    Abandoned Railroad Corridors in Kentucky: An Inventory and Assessment


    Publication date :

    2003


    Size :

    131 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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