Many factors brought up at trail meet

Potential costs of maintenance, concerns of adjoining residents, and the status of state ownership were among topics discussed May 13 in an informational meeting of the proposed Colfax-Albion-Pullman trail. It would be located on the former UP railroad which has been idle since the 2006 trestle fire.

Owners of property along the now-idle railroad line between Colfax and Pullman expressed their concerns about litter, emergency services and possible trespassing at the session. A sign-in sheet at the Pullman session indicated eight people who live along the trail attended.

Also present were representatives of Pullman and the Pullman Civic Trust which has been active in developing trails in Pullman and the Chipman Trail between Pullman and Moscow. Colfax and Whitman Parks staffers also attended. Representives of the Washington & Idaho Railroad, which has stored cars on the idle line, also attended.

Bob Westby, who is in charge of the area PCC rail system for the state Department of Transportation, and three other state DOT officials attended.

Chris Herman, one of the DOT representatives, explained the state would have to follow an “all or nothing” policy on keeping or disposing of the railroad property. That would mean Colfax or Pullman could not acquire a segment in their respective towns for conversion to a trail. Herman explained such a move would in effect landlock the balance of the rail right-of-way property.

The proposal calls for “Rail Banking” the line which allows for development of a trail while keeping the railroad property available for possible resumption of rail service at some point in the future.

The railroad at present is owned by the Department of Transportation and operated as the Palouse River Railroad by WATCO.

Jeff Phelps, who owns land adjoining the railroad at Albion, said property owners are concerned about the security and trespassing. Phelps noted the rural location along most of the line contrasts with the Chipman Trail which runs along the south side of the Moscow-Pullman Highway. He pointed out another concern is the expense which would be involved with maintaining the trestles which are longer and higher than the bridges along the Chipman trail.

Phelps said he has offered to be a coordinator to represent property owners as discussion of the trail proposal continues.

At Monday night’s Colfax City Council meeting, Councilman Al Vorderbrueggen reported one of the key topics at last week’s meeting was finding a way to fund maintenance of the trail. Vorderbrueggen said the proposed trail would be about three times as long as the Chipman Trail between Pullman and Moscow.

Chipman Trail operations are funded with annual payments of $7,500 each by the five entities: Pullman, Moscow, UI, WSU and the county. Each entity has a representative on the trail board and county parks is the lead agency on trail upkeep and development.

Council members noted upkeep on a Colfax-Pullman trail could require three times the annual upkeep of the Chipman, possibly in the $120,000 range.

Mayor Todd Vanek pointed out the state is now conducting an economic feasibility study on the rail systems in this area. One result of that study could be a state determination that the Colfax-Pullman railroad link could still be economically viable. The state study, which includes possible restoration of the rail line between Thornton and Oakesdale, is expected to be finished next fall. The Thornton-Oakesdale link has been proposed as a way of linking the former UP system on the west side of the county with the W & I system and the McCoy loader facility on the east side.

City Attorney Bruce Ensley advised the city council that the state process for disposing of former rail property can be complicated. He noted if the state’s study determines the rail link is no longer feasible that could indicate the state no longer will have an interest in keeping the rail line property.