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.

  • 11/03/25

    • Preperation is underway for the asphalt paving between 9th Street and Bank Street. Multiple days of rain this week have caused a slight delay in progress. 

    • MAC installed lateral drains to divert water from the drain lines coming downhill from north of the trail. This water will now be redirected under the trail. 

    • Excavation has also begun in preparation for the curb installation on Fifth Street.

  • 10/27/25

    • MAC continued installing electrical conduit between Fourth Street and Bank Street for future trail lighting. Concrete bases for the lights are expected to be poured next week.

    • The final subgrade treatment is underway between 9th Street and Bank Street and will continue into next week.

    • At this stage, the overall project is approximately 8% complete.

    10/17/25

    • Per SME Geotech’s recommendation, MAC continued installing undercut treatment between 6th Street and 5th Street. This work was inspected by an SME representative.

    • MAC also completed installation of the underdrain pipe between 9th Street and 6th Street, as well as the electrical conduit for future lighting between 9th Street and 4th Street.

    • A new pipe has been installed across the trail between 6th and 5th Streets to capture water draining from the uphill side of the trail and redirect it to the ditch along the railroad side.

    10/06/25

    • MAC removed an existing pipe and catch basin near 4th Street and installed multiple storm sewers with new pipe and end sections in the area.

    • New storm structures were also installed on both the west and east sides of 6th Street. These structures were connected by pipe and then backfilled with flowable fill concrete.

    • Between 6th and 5th Streets, MAC excavated an additional foot for the undercut. Crews placed the first layer of geotextile and geogrid, and began placing a 14-inch lift of #8 stone as directed by the SME Geotech.

    • An SME representative was on site to inspect the undercut treatment 

    09/29/25

    • The grading MAC started for the trails in Line T and Line C has been completed. Crews have also begun placing and compacting subgrade treatment west of Fifth Street. 

    • HWC and MAC are working together to determine the best solution for mitigating the soft subgrade in areas between 6th Street and 9th Street. This is a result of the excess water from lateral drains coming downhill from homes and businesses on Main Street.

    • In addition, storm sewer strtuctures are being installed in Line C near Bank Street. 

    09/15/25

    • MAC has started the excavation process for “Line T”. They started working in both directions near the railroad tracks at the end of 9th Street, and have already made it past 5th Street.

    • Subgrade treatment is being placed in the exacavated areas. However drainage issues (pictured below) west of 9th Street have caused a slight delay.

    • In the coming day MAC will continue to excavate and install subgrade treatment where appropriate, find a solution to the drainage issues, as well as begin the installation of conduit along the edge of trail in “Line T” to be used for lighting in the future.

    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.