Cattaraugus Rails-to-Trails Application Clears Hurdle - The Post Journal

Cattaraugus Rails-to-Trails Application Clears Hurdle from the Thursday, October 28th, 1999 issue of The Post-Journal

By The POST-JOURNAL staff

LITTLE VALLEY - A $1.3 million grant application for the development of 12.4 miles of abandoned rail bed in Cattaraugus County has cleared another hurdle.

Little Valley Mayor Bonnie Bigelow and Rick LeFeber, executive director of the Cattaraugus Local Development Corp., announced Wednesday the Buffalo office of the state Transportation Department has completed its review of 31 projects applications and forwarded the local request to the state for review and possible approval.

Robert J. Russell, regional director for the state Transportation Department, informed Mrs. Bigelow I writing that the project was one of the 15 sent on for more review under the state's Transportation Enhancement Program.

A statewide Transportation Enhancement Advisory Committee will look over the application and the state Transportation Department commissioner is expected to make the final project selections by the end of the year.

The Cattaraugus IDA owns the rail bed and is seeking $1,316,500 to develop the site as a "Rails-to-Trails" facility. The Rails-to-Trails will run from the Salamanca city line to the village of Cattaraugus.

"This is a major victory on the review path of this grant application," said Brad Walters, Southern Tier Rails-to-Trails Association chairman. "This project has come a tremendous distance since we formed our organization and undertook this project in January of this year."

Little Valley is serving as the sponsor for the money request while the Cattaraugus IDA is the applicant.

"We have to be proud of the spirit and dedication that all the community leaders, politicians, civic/private organizations and municipalities have contributed to create a huge momentum to make this project a reality," LeFeber said. "This is a project that will contribute to our area's tourism and economic base."