First Phase of Monon South Freedom Trail

The Monon South Trail will run from New Albany and go 63 miles winding north past Mitchell, Indiana. Outside of Floyd County, the trail is managed by Radius Indiana (from the Floyd County line north). The City of New Albany is responsible for the portion from the Ohio River Greenway to the county line. The section of trail that the City of New Albany is constructing has been named the Monon South Freedom Trail, honoring its historic roots as a verified escape route for enslaved African Americans.

A map showing the first “downtown phase” of the monon south freedom trail in new albany

The first phase of the Freedom Trail began in early August of 2025, and will branch off of the Ohio River Greenway into downtown New Albany. The trail will head North along 4th Street and stretch past Fairview Cemetery. Radius Indiana has begun construction on their portion of the trail, and you can see their progress at www.mononsouth.com

History of this “Rails to Trails” Initiative

In 2017, CSX abandoned its rail line from the northern edge of New Albany to the East Fork of the White River, south of Bedford. This created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop a new, 63-mile-long recreational trail stretching through 5 Indiana counties (Clark, Floyd, Lawrence, Orange, and Washington), and connecting nine Indiana towns and cities (Bedford, Mitchell, Saltillo, Campbellsburg, Salem, New Pekin, Borden, Orleans, and New Albany).

When completed, the full Monon South trail will be the longest, continuous recreation trail in Indiana, creating immense recreation and economic opportunities for the region.

The City of New Albany is excited and humbled to have an opportunity to not only bring a new amenity to the region, but to reimagine the former New Albany – Salem railroad while paying homage to its significance as part of the Underground Railroad. The railway served as a verified escape route serving as a pathway to freedom for many enslaved African Americans traveling both in train cars and following the tracks by foot.

Rendering of trail near 10th street in downtown new albany

Impacts

Funding

The City applied for and received the Indiana READI (Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative) grant to help connect the Ohio River Greenway system to the 68-mile long South Monon Freedom Trail. When connected, this would tie the Monon South Freedom Trail into the current Ohio River Greenway trails system, which further connects into Clarksville, Jeffersonville and the Big Four Bridge, and the Louisville Trail Loop System, culminating in a massive recreational parks and trails system.

The trail has also been funded through Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana’s Next Level Trails grant program, and with support through our trail partners at Radius Indiana.

Recent Updates from Construction Crew:

Construction Crews began to mobilize on August 1st, 2025. A groundbreaking was held on August 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Letters were sent to adjacent property owners to inform them of upcoming work.

  • 09/03/25

    • Over the next two weeks, work will focus primarily on Line C (running parallel to the railroad tracks from Bank Street to 4th Street) and Line T (from 4th Street down to 10th Street).

    • Clearing has already begun along the property lines north of the railroad right-of-way and is expected to be completed by the end of the week.

    • Once clearing is completed, crews will install a silt fence and any other necessary erosion prevention and sediment control measures.

    • Finally, demolition will begin on the existing pavement east of 4th & 9th Streets, as well as the concrete wall/barrier at the end of 9th Street.

  • 08/20/25

    • In July 2025, letters were sent to adjacent property owners to inform them of upcoming work.

    • Mobilization - August 1, 2025.

    • Groundbreaking Event was held on August 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.