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FAIRMONT - A representative of the Rail to Trail project from Jackson to Fairmont gave the current status of the planning phase thus far at Monday’s Martin County Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting.
Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services Representative Luke Ewald, who covers Jackson and Cottonwood Counties, said this started around four years ago when Jackson started a parks and trails master plan.
“In 2023, when the city of Jackson was awarded the grant opportunity through MnDOT to make it more of a vision project, let’s get to Fairmont,” he said. “I realize that there’s railroad activity still in Welcome and Fairmont, but that isn’t to say we can’t create a plan that’s visionary and long-term.”
For the Martin County portion of it, the portion is part of the former Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad, under the Parent Company Canadian Pacific Railway. Many sections are currently under partial use or abandonment.
Currently, Ewald said there are a few things to be discussed. Currently, he said they envision doing a multi-phased plan connecting Jackson with Fairmont that would include road right-of-ways where rails are not available.
The rails west of Trimont are currently used for backing and parking, but the line from Jackson to Sherburn has not been used for some time, so that portion could be phase one of the project. However, there is some hesitation among railroad companies regarding projects with their lines. Martin County Engineer Kevin Peyman clarified some of this stance.
“I think railroads used to abandon their right of way a lot more, but they realize once they’re gone, they don’t get them back anymore,” he said. “Even tracks that they’re not using, they’re more reluctant to abandon. Then you look at things like leases and things like that, but a lot of the grants that I’ve seen rule out being able to get a grant because you don’t own the property.”
From Welcome to Fairmont, there is an active Union Pacific Railroad. For that area, Ewald said they could explore alternative trail connection routes, including by utilizing county roads on 130th or 120th Street to Fairmont.
For this stretch, Peyman said they may have to buy land for a right of way to fit a trail. He said this would be its own issue.
“If we had 12 miles of farmers that were all willing to sell the right of way, that would be one thing,” he said. “The likelihood that you’re going to find 12 miles of farmers that all want to sell gets to be probably a questionable proposition.”
Ewald reiterated that currently they are only in the planning phase, and are considering all route options with either the railroad, using the roads, or both.
“This is definitely in its infancy,” he said. “I was just trying to get some positive excitement going, but I realize the engineering side is the most complicated. It won’t be something that happens tomorrow or probably in a year. It would be nice, but it probably won’t.”
From here, he said there will be upcoming community visits on Sept. 29 and 30, where there will be an Action Plan Summit. From there, there will be planning team meetings in October and November before a project/concept plan is completed to present moving forward.
In other news:
-- Kyle Cofer from The Retail Coach presented to the board. He said a deal is very close to being done for a store to enter the mall, and talks are ongoing for another to come in as well.
-- CEDA Specialist Amber Patten said they have been able to help multiple businesses with business plans and grants, and met with seven businesses last month as a part of their continued series of visits.