Politics & Government
Coopersburg Assesses Its Rail Trail Involvement
Former mayor Jonathan Mack urges Coopersburg Borough Council to open the borough's section of the Saucon Rail Trail as soon as possible.
When Coopersburg Borough Council met March 8, the borough's participation in the development of the Saucon Rail Trail--which will stretch northward to Hellertown when completed--was on the mind of audience members, including former Mayor Jonathan Mack.
Mack attended the meeting specifically to discuss Coopersburg’s progress on its portion of the Rails-to-Trails recreational pathway.
"I wanted to get a feel as to when you might start construction," Mack said. "Have you looked into what the costs might be?"
Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"We’re waiting until the Upper Saucon portion is done," replied Council President Gary Hovis.
The rail trail is being constructed by the four municipalities through which it will pass: Coopersburg, Upper Saucon, Lower Saucon Township and Hellertown. A Saucon Rail Trail Advisory Committee has also been meeting regularly to discuss and encourage cooperation among the municipalities, such as a proposed intergovernmental agreement that would make the rules and regulations for trail use consistent from trail end to trail end.
Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
At last month's committee , Upper Saucon Township Manager Tom Beil was present and announced that Upper Saucon is moving toward completion of its portion of the trail. A grand opening for the Upper Saucon section is planned for later in the spring.
At the borough council meeting, Hovis said Coopersburg's portion of the trail could not exist on its own.
“We have no parking area, and we have half a mile. Upper Saucon wraps completely around us,” he said.
Mack suggested opening the Coopersburg portion of the trail as soon as possible.
“Once you have sections of the trail open, it puts pressure on the other towns to get theirs open,” he said.
Council members agreed.
“We need to start working on this and get serious,” Hovis said, “but until Upper Saucon gets serious on theirs we really can’t.”
Council did consider beginning cost analysis and phase one work on the trail, including cutting and draining the area, but no formal motion was made.
The next Coopersburg Borough Council meeting will be held March 22 at 7pm.
