SOUTH MONON FREEDOM TRAIL:

SOUTH MONON FREEDOM TRAIL:

After a lot of effort, a little luck, and some generous donors, Mayor Jeff Gahan is thrilled to announce that the South Monon Freedom Trail, the longest recreational trail in the state of Indiana, is coming to New Albany.

"It continues to be an exciting time to live in New Albany. The new Monon South Trail brings fresh connections to our river city and for our neighbors throughout the region,” stated New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan.  “When our state, regional, and local partners join together, great things can happen.”

In 2017 the city received word that CSX was considering abandoning its rail line between New Albany and Bedford, Indiana, and Mayor Gahan saw this as a wonderful opportunity promote economic development, enhance quality of life, and create the longest Rails to Trails conversion in the state of Indiana. The route is nearly 63.2 miles long, and connects five counties in Southern Indiana. The trail begins just north of the new Sazerac facility (at the former Pillsbury Plant) and ends near Bedford, Indiana.

In December 2017 the city filed the necessary paperwork securing the original right to negotiate and acquire the corridor under the Trails Act. The city then began developing a working relationship with Radius Indiana (an Economic Development Organization) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, both whom actively participated and supported this trail development.

Mayor Gahan at the governor’s state of the state address, Jan 10 2023

Last night Mayor Gahan was invited to Indianapolis by Governor Eric Holcomb for his State of the State Address, which included the announcement that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will award $29.5 million to acquire and begin development of the 62.3-mile Monon South Trail spanning five counties in Southern Indiana, which will be owned by Radius Indiana and the City of New Albany. Once fully constructed, the trail will be the longest contiguous recreational trail in Indiana. The Monon South Trail will follow the route of the historic Monon Railroad beginning in New Albany and running through the communities of Borden, New Pekin, Salem, Campbellsburg, Saltillo, Orleans and Mitchell. This route includes portions of Floyd, Clark, Washington, Orange and Lawrence counties. To jumpstart the trail’s development, DNR will grant the partners an additional $24 million in Next Level Trails funding to begin design, engineering and construction of portions of the trail which have approximately 440,000 people living within 10 miles of the trail’s path.

More information can be found in the official DNR Press Release here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDNR/bulletins/341f466