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08-08-07, 07:42 AM
A new organization is forming for the purpose of building a dedicated commuter bike path on an abandoned rail grade running from Westerville, OH to the Arena District, in downtown Columbus. Hence, the W.A.D, or "Westerville to Arena District" Bike Path. "Shoot the WAD."
Anyone interested in being part of the organization, or just interested in following developments may contact mailto:WADbikepath@gmail.com. (This is an email address, not a website.)
The proposed route is an abandoned rail grade variously referred to as the CA&C RR (Cleveland, Akron & Columbus), the Mt. Vernon RR, Pensylvania RR and lastly Conrail. Conrail abandoned it in the 1970's. Roughly, starting at Cooper Park in Westerville, (Cooper Rd/Alum Creek Trail) it runs south parallel to Westerville Rd, and later, Cleveland Ave. It runs through the center of the Linden neighborhood of Columbus. The lower end of the proposed route is along active rail lines and goes under the Convention Center and on into the Arena District, eventually crossing the Olentangy where a connection point to the Olentangy Trail could be made.
The bike path that starts at Electric Ave in Westerville and goes north to Maxtown Rd is the same rail grade. Going south from Electric, the route is interrupted by the shopping district at the corners of Schrock and Rt 3. Behind Krogers the grade continues south for a piece, going under I-270, but is again interrupted by a gravel pit. Bridge abuttments more than a hundred years old can be seen at Cooper park, on either side of Alum creek just below the gravel pit. The original rail line ran from Columbus northeast to Mt Vernon and eventually Akron and Cleveland. The The Kokosing Gap trail starting in Mt Vernon and heading northeast is the same rail grade.
Long term COTA planning proposes a light rail along the same corridor.
The property in is private ownership. It may take a "wad" to procure it.
The proposed trail is to be a practical and dedicated commuter bike trail to downtown Columbus, not a twisty recreational trail to nowhere. The grade is straight and level. It is 11 miles long.
Large corporations are located along the route. Nationwide Insurance, Nationwide Arena, Columbus Convention Center, Hyatt Regency, a Schottenstein retail outlet, Value City Distribution Center, Citibank, as well as countless churches, schools, parks, small businesses, rec centers, libraries, & community centers. Which is to say, prospects for public support look bright.
mailto:WADbikepath@gmail.com
Check out this Google Earth map of the WAD:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?om=1&ie=UTF8&t=k&layer=t&msa=0&msid=105527533768919705003.000439df0eca380c2a5f7&ll=39.976269,-82.995679&spn=0.003798,0.003648&z=18
Anyone interested in being part of the organization, or just interested in following developments may contact mailto:WADbikepath@gmail.com. (This is an email address, not a website.)
The proposed route is an abandoned rail grade variously referred to as the CA&C RR (Cleveland, Akron & Columbus), the Mt. Vernon RR, Pensylvania RR and lastly Conrail. Conrail abandoned it in the 1970's. Roughly, starting at Cooper Park in Westerville, (Cooper Rd/Alum Creek Trail) it runs south parallel to Westerville Rd, and later, Cleveland Ave. It runs through the center of the Linden neighborhood of Columbus. The lower end of the proposed route is along active rail lines and goes under the Convention Center and on into the Arena District, eventually crossing the Olentangy where a connection point to the Olentangy Trail could be made.
The bike path that starts at Electric Ave in Westerville and goes north to Maxtown Rd is the same rail grade. Going south from Electric, the route is interrupted by the shopping district at the corners of Schrock and Rt 3. Behind Krogers the grade continues south for a piece, going under I-270, but is again interrupted by a gravel pit. Bridge abuttments more than a hundred years old can be seen at Cooper park, on either side of Alum creek just below the gravel pit. The original rail line ran from Columbus northeast to Mt Vernon and eventually Akron and Cleveland. The The Kokosing Gap trail starting in Mt Vernon and heading northeast is the same rail grade.
Long term COTA planning proposes a light rail along the same corridor.
The property in is private ownership. It may take a "wad" to procure it.
The proposed trail is to be a practical and dedicated commuter bike trail to downtown Columbus, not a twisty recreational trail to nowhere. The grade is straight and level. It is 11 miles long.
Large corporations are located along the route. Nationwide Insurance, Nationwide Arena, Columbus Convention Center, Hyatt Regency, a Schottenstein retail outlet, Value City Distribution Center, Citibank, as well as countless churches, schools, parks, small businesses, rec centers, libraries, & community centers. Which is to say, prospects for public support look bright.
mailto:WADbikepath@gmail.com
Check out this Google Earth map of the WAD:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?om=1&ie=UTF8&t=k&layer=t&msa=0&msid=105527533768919705003.000439df0eca380c2a5f7&ll=39.976269,-82.995679&spn=0.003798,0.003648&z=18