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Community Corner

Advisory Committee Moves Forward with Rail Trail Agreement

Upper Saucon takes steps toward committing to an intergovernmental agreement on the Saucon Rail Trail.

The Saucon Rail Trail Advisory Committee met Feb. 28 in Coopersburg Borough Hall to continue planning and development of the trail being built along a former SEPTA rail line between Coopersburg and Hellertown.

The meeting was noteworthy not because of who was absent, but because of who was present--specifically, Upper Saucon Township Manager Tom Beil. The absence of Upper Saucon Township representatives from recent advisory committee  had been a source of concern for representatives from the other municipalities with a stake in the trail's opening, who hope to achieve an intergovernmental agreement regarding trail use, rules and regulations.

The intergovernmental agreement is necessary for the trail's rules to be contiguous throughout all four municipalities. Upper Saucon still needs to approve the tentative agreement, which has already been reviewed by Hellertown and Lower Saucon, and is in the process of being reviewed by Coopersburg borough officials.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Beil stated that phase one construction of the Upper Saucon portion of the trail has been completed except for one street crossing that is in need of a flashing signal device, which will be installed prior to a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for later in the spring. Current plans project that the traffic signal will be installed at the beginning of April.

Beil went on to address some questions regarding the installation of fencing Upper Saucon officials felt was necessary along parts of the trail. He explained that the fencing does not line the entire trail in Upper Saucon. Instead, he said it screens areas that planners believed could be hazardous or would require additional privacy.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Beil also gave assurances that Upper Saucon is willing to work with its municipal neighbors to collaborate on the trail’s grand opening, to deal with possible delays, to develop rules and regulations and to help address portential flooding issues. 

Representatives from the Ironton Rail Trail--which passes through Whitehall Township, Coplay and North Whitehall Township--were also present for consulting during the meeting.

In other business, representatives from Eternal Products, Inc. presented a proposal to the committee regarding benches, birdhouses and other trail-related amenities which could be purchased and placed along the rail trail by local businesses via a sponsorship program.

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