subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Feb 09 2010 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos


CARL E. FEATHER / Star Beacon REP. STEVEN LaTourette talks to the crowd at the dedication of the Western Reserve Greenway Trail Thursday morning. The event was held at the tunnel under Route 84, a project funded with money from the Civic Development Corporation and a federal earmark obtained by LaTourette. Ada Callahan-Sutter, co-chair of the Friends of the Western Reserve Greenway Trail, looks on.


Published May 28, 2009 08:22 pm - Rail-trail users from across the lake-to-river corridor gathered Thursday morning to celebrate completion of the 27-mile-Ashtabula County section of the Western Reserve Greenway Trail.

Lots of people made Greenway Trail a reality



ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Rail-trail users from across the lake-to-river corridor gathered Thursday morning to celebrate completion of the 27-mile-Ashtabula County section of the Western Reserve Greenway Trail.

Phase III of the trail was wrapped up last fall, with the opening of the tunnel under Route 84 and paving of several miles of trail in southern Ashtabula County. Phase I was completed in 2002, Phase II two years later.

Ashtabula County Metroparks board member Charlie Kohli said he first began investigating the trail concept for Ashtabula County 20 years ago and he never imagined it would be such a long process. Kohli, who chairs the Friends of the WRGT, said it required the efforts of many volunteers working with government agencies to build the trail, which follows an abandoned rail line from Ashtabula to Warren.

Friends co-chair Ada Callahan-Sutter singled out U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette, R-Bainbridge, for his help in securing a half-million dollars in federal money to build the trail, particularly the last phase, which required an earmark for the tunnel.

“I want to say a word for the politicians,” Callahan-Sutter said. “Without them, you can do nothing.”

LaTourette said that while “earmark” has a negative connotation with taxpayers, that method of funding brings enhancement dollars back to the community. The funds for the trail came from the six-year federal Highway bill, a percentage of which is set aside for enhancement projects that go beyond steel bridges and asphalt roads. The next bill under consideration will be for $450 billion over six years.

“Once we have established that pie, we have said we’re going to take 5 to 10 percent of that pie … and make sure that we do use it for projects like these,” LaTourette said. “Some people are embarrassed by earmarks. I send out press releases when we are able to help local communities because, if it wasn’t for the enhancements, the earmarks — the metroparks, the counties, the state wouldn’t necessarily have the resources to get a project like this done.”

Members of the North Shore Trail group are eager to get their hands on the enhancement money in that next bill. Kevin Grippi, a volunteer with the group, outlined the group’s ambitious plans to connect the WRGT with Lake Erie. Highlights of the path would include a 110-foot-long covered bridge over Woodman Avenue, resurfacing of several city streets, a fake covered bridge over Center Street, a steel-girder covered bridge overpass about 600 feet long and trail-head hub on Lake Avenue, just north of the iron bridge. The trail eventually would connect the trail to the Gulf and Smolen-Gulf covered bridge. The cost of the project, if built today, would be $6.2 million; $7.7 million if built in 2011.

“It’s an exciting project, and I don’t think we can afford not to do it,” Grippi said.

Eric Obert, manager of trail development for the Rails to Trails Conservancy, said the county already has one of the best trails in Ohio, and taking it to the lake would further elevate its status.

“Once this trail connects to Lake Erie … this is really going to be world-renowned,” he said.

Obert also commended the exemplary volunteer bike patrol and maintenance groups that keep the trail safe and maintained on a shoestring budget.

“You guys are used as examples. You are setting a trend we use all over the state,” he said.

The Civic Development Corp. provided local match money for the state and federal grants, and the Metroparks Board recognized CDC’s vital role in making the project a reality. Stuart Cordell, past CDC president, said it is one of the group’s most successful projects.

The board also recognized Koski Construction, which did much of the construction work.



print this story    email this story   






autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

PREMIUM JOBS

OPERATORS
Strong mechanical/numerical skills
Solid computer exp./Physically fit
Former Factory Experience
Excellent
...>MORE

WE HAVE JOBS!!!!

Your job search begins and ENDS at Just In Time Staffing!

Immediate Openings:

QUALITY INSPEC
...>MORE

Restorative/Education Liason Nurse

This applicant must be a registered RN in the state of Ohio with 2 years experience. Please fill out at applicatio
...>MORE

DISPATCHER
Needed in a fast paced busy environment. Must be available for various shifts.
Apply within City Taxicab,
175
...>MORE

Waitress
PT Waitress, Exp. only.
Apply in person.
Lakeway Rest. Lake Ave.
...>MORE

ENGINEERING & PROCESS MANAGER

Veitsch-Radex America Inc - An RHI Company, is a world leader in supplying products to the molten metals industry,
...>MORE

Drivers

Regional Opportunities
for OHIO Drivers!

3 Pay Raises in the 1st Yr.
Great Pay & Full Benefit
...>MORE

RN - HOME CARE
Well established company (20+ years.) Need an experienced RN to do opens, HHA and LPN supervisory visits, recerts, and d...>MORE

Salesperson
Looking for experienced Salesperson, Part-Time,
Apply in person, no phone calls.
Days Inn, 600 Days Blvd., C
...>MORE

SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP
Has a Part-time salaried opening for Zoning Inspector. Applicant must have the following: Valid Ohio Drivers License in ...>MORE

See all ads

PREMIUM AUTOS

See all ads

PREMIUM HOMES

For Sale By Owner

64 West Jefferson Street
Well-maintained Center Hall Colonial w/ Pool/Guest House, Heated pool, Gazebo & mo
...>MORE

House for Sale Andover
3BR 2.5BA Ranch Andover w/ full bsmt. Big country kitchen with island, pantry, family room, L shaped living and dining r...>MORE

Lot For Sale
20 acres near Jefferson approximately 6 mature acres of woods and over 7000 seedlings. Great home or cabin setting $39,0...>MORE

Mobile Homes for Sale
Whispering Willow
2BR & 3BR homes for sale
starting at $7,900.
Financing avail.
440-466-6403
...>MORE

THE “CHANGE” WILL DO YOU GOOD


NORMANDY VILLAGE
55+ Manufactured Home Community
700 W. Main St. (Rt.20)
Geneva, Ohio
44
...>MORE

MOBILE HOME FOR SALE CONNEAUT
2BR carport, large shed, dishwasher, appliances, AC, extras negotiable. $3500 obo. No land contracts.
Conneaut 440
...>MORE

See all ads

PREMIUM EXTRAS

I will babysit in my Saybrook Home.
Exp. & CPR cert. 969-9694...>MORE

Dining Room Set
Solid oak dining room table 2 leaves, 6 oak chairs $500. (440)428-4716...>MORE

Wanted to Buy!
Immediate Cash !
For unwanted items.
Call for details 440-319-4274
...>MORE

BUYING JUNK VEHICLES
WE PAY SCRAP OR BETTER
Budget Auto Parts,
6015 Woodman Ave. 992-1111
...>MORE

Land for Sale
45 acres gas well and royalties.
Nice location near Lake Erie,
$125,000 obo. 440-812-7374
...>MORE

Lost Dog!
LOST: Male Schnauzer,
salt & pepper, black collar w/tags.
“Jasper” Reed Ave Ash. Reward.
(440)998-7880
...>MORE

"WE NEED LAND"!
Paying top prices for farms or acreage in OH, W. Virginia and PA. Call Bruner Land Co. at (740) 685-8138....>MORE

Business Opportunity
4316 West Ave. Duplex,
Excellent condition.
Gross rents $850/mo.
$39,900 OBO! For more info
Call 216
...>MORE

See all ads

PREMIUM RENTALS

House for Rent Ashtabula Harbor
2BR 1BA lg. yard, gar., sewer/trash pd 440-813-2807...>MORE

Apartment for Rent Conneaut
1BR apt. Conneaut stove/frig./water incl. $300/mo. (440)593-4532...>MORE

HOUSE FOR RENT ANDOVER
Andover; Newer 3BR colonial,
2-1/2BA, free gas heat, $1000/mo+dep. 440-344-0741
...>MORE

Apartment for Rent
2BR upstairs Ash. harbor, balcony $500/mo+elec. (440)813-2807...>MORE

Conneaut House for Rent
3BR/1BA Conn. newly remodeled, new furnace $450+dep., Sec 8 ok 440-577-1884/ 971-226-2533...>MORE

House for Rent in Saybrook
2BR Newly updated $600/mo.
Saybrook 440-964-3853 / 812-3880
...>MORE

Apartments in Jefferson for Rent
2BR $475/mo+sec.
Jefferson. (440)645-0578
...>MORE

House for Rent
964 Broad St., Conn. 3-4BR 1.5BA, all appl., AC, 2 car gar., no pets. $675/mo+util. 330-273-1622...>MORE

Unfurnished Apartment in Geneva
Geneva: 2BR, $450+util.
W/D hookup 466-7619
...>MORE

Unfurnished Apartment in Hartsgrove
Hartsgrove: 2BR 1.5BA 1st flr,
lg. master suite & walk in closet, deck
$575. Must see. (440)474-0555
...>MORE

See all ads



 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index