Monon South Freedom Trail

First Phase of Monon South Freedom Trail

The Monon South Trail will run from New Albany and go 68 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.

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, 68-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.

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 are set to mobilize beginning August 1st, 2025. Full construction is expected to begin shortly after that. Letters have been sent to adjacent property owners to inform them of upcoming work. Construction reports and details will be posted below as the project gets underway.