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AL/GA Connection Complete
May 2008
Dear friend of the rail-trail,
Thanks so much for your interest in Alabama's Chief Ladiga Trail. I am pleased to announce that on December 1st, 2007, we hosted an event to celebrate the completion of the trail from Anniston to the Georgia Stateline.
That means that the seven mile gap in Cleburne County was filled with restored bridges, drainage systems, new base and asphalt. Passing over scenic Terrapin Creek five times it's beautiful as it winds its way though hills, forest, and nice communities like Piedmont and Borden Springs. It is all complete in Alabama.
Also, and thanks to sponsorship from Coca-Cola, the Rails to Trails Conservancy and Georgia's PATH Foundation we have also constructed a Gateway right at the Stateline. The Georgia section is beautiful too but there has been a small two-mile gap just east of Cedartown. With a nice 6-7 mile detour on paved roads the route is easily traveled but as of mid-September 2008 the gap should be completed. This will fill the last gap and allow for an uninterrupted rails-to-trails experience that is nearly 100 miles in length. Combined, the Chief Ladiga and Silver Comet trails will create one of the best and longest pathways of their kind, anywhere in the world!
A major Stateline Gateway Ceremony is being planned for late September and so we hope that you'll watch our web sites for details and then make plans to join us in joining Alabama and Georgia!
Pete Conroy
Chairman, CLT Recreational Committee
Cleburne County Pavement Update
April 9, 2007
As of mid April, the contractor (Strain) is continuing
to grade and compact the surface of the unpaved
eastern section (4.5 miles) that connects to Georgia
and the, soon to be completed, Stateline Gateway.
The contractors are out there in full force every
day this week. With good weather and any luck
the pavement process will start in three to four
weeks. It should be completed in mid to late May.
In the meanwhile, the unpaved west section (4
miles) is waiting for its “Preconstruction
Conference” with the Alabama Department
of Transportation (AlaDOT). That should occur
in late April so that actual west section construction
would begin in the July-August timeframe.
With these tentative dates in mind, it seems
probable that an actual ribbon cutting to connect
Alabama’s Chief Ladiga to Georgia’s
Silver Comet will take place in September 2007.
Keep in touch with this web site for regular
updates!
CLT Update from
Cleburne County:
May 1 2006
TCSP Project
(Final bridge rehabilitation)
The Transportation, Community, and System Preservation
(TCSP) Project includes funds for the rehabilitation
of the most easterly and final bridge. The appropriation
is approximately $94,000 with a zero percent local
match. After ALADOT review of the detailed engineering
plans, money will be authorized by the ALADOT.
Upon receipt of the ALADOT approval letter, the
Cleburne County Commission will authorize the
advertising and solicitation of bids for construction
of this project. It is then expected that bids
will be opened and awarded during the June or
July County Commission meeting. Construction shall
begin upon the execution of all the contract documents,
approximately in the middle of July/August 2006.
Cleburne County Phase II
(Calhoun County line to the Intersection of County
Road 230)
This project includes placing an asphalt surface
from the Calhoun County Line to the intersection
of County Road 230. All engineering and plans
are completed. Funding has been authorized. This
project will be ready to advertise bids for construction
immediately after the completion of the aforementioned
project. It is anticipated to request the County
Commission to pass a resolution authorizing the
solicitation of bids in the July meeting. Construction
shall begin upon the execution of all contract
documents, approximately in the middle of August
or September 2006.
Cleburne County Phase III
(County Road 230 to the Georgia State Line)
This project includes completing the Cleburne
County portion of the Chief Ladiga Trail to the
Georgia state line. Engineering and plans are
approximately 75% finished. Money for this project
has been authorized by ALDOT. It is anticipated
to begin advertising for bids in late summer or
early fall.
New Cleburne County Engineer
On the job since mid March, a new County Engineer
was hired in Cleburne County. Mr. Shannon Robbins
has worked in Cleburne County as an assistant
engineer sine January of 2002. Before that and
for nearly 8 years, he worked in the Auburn area
for ALADOT. Shannon says that he has a great interest
in the Chief Ladiga Trail and he’ll “keep
the ball rolling until the job is done”.
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