Adirondack Rail Trail Construction Begins

It's finally happening! Construction of the Adirondack Rail Trail has commenced. New York Department of Environmental Conservation announced on Friday, Oct. 23 that ground has officially been broken on the $1.9 million project to remove the tracks from the former railroad right-of-way in Tupper Lake, clearing the way for its conversion into a shared-use, 34-mile path to Lake Placid.

"Today is a critical step in the creation of the Adirondack Rail Trail," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "Providing a 34-mile accessible recreation trail in the northern corridor and the nation's longest scenic railway in the southern corridor, this development will expand and enhance visitor experiences and help to drive Adirondack economies. Visitors and local residents alike will be able to experience the excitement of a trail ride through some of the Adirondacks' most remote and spectacular areas. For those who prefer hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and more, the trail offers a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities."

The rail trail, which will feature some of the most incredible scenery in the area, will move through the communities of Lake Placid, Ray Brook, Saranac Lake, Lake Clear and Tupper Lake. Not only will it be a wonderful auto-free trail for bicyclists, but it will also be open for hikers, cross country skiers, and snowmobile enthusiasts. A second project will commence in the coming weeks to rehabilitate the existing rails between Big Moose and Tupper Lake in order to create the longest scenic railway in the country.

In the Saranac Lake and Lake Placid area, the trail is also expected to lead to more mountain bike trail development with 20 miles of mountain bike trails having been already approved in the Adirondack Rail Trail corridor between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. The Saranac Lake side of the trail already features a section of mountain bike trails recently developed by the Barkeater Trails Alliance.  

For more on the Adirondack Rail Trail project, visit adirondackrailtrail.org.