Bids will be taken June 28 by the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority on removal and sale of the Nickel Plate rails, thus marking the beginning of the end of the railroad between downtown Noblesville and Indianapolis. The port authority is owned by Hamilton County and the cities of Noblesville and Fishers.
Removal of the rails and railroad ties is the first step toward converting the rail right-of-way to a pedestrian and bike trail. The railroad south of Noblesville has not been used for train traffic for several years, and its future has been the subject of a long-running debate between the port authority and groups that wanted to preserve the rail line.
City and county officials met Monday to discuss the rail removal process and division of proceeds from the sale of the hundreds of tons of scrap iron and wooden ties estimated at around $2 million. But, the cost of removal and repair of dozens of streets the railroad crosses is unknown until bids are received.
The Nickel Plate north from Noblesville to Tipton will remain an active line for excursion trains operated by the Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad. The railroad was built in 1851 and was key to the development of communities through which it passed. Commercial use of the line ended in the 1990s and was taken over by the port authority, created to save the railroad from abandonment.
Monday’s meeting, following a regular county commissioner session, was called a work session where no final decisions were made. Other matters of mutual concern were also considered, including an update on the State Road 37 upgrading project now getting underway through city and county jurisdictions.
Also considered was Noblesville’s plan to improve Seminary Park with facilities accessible under the Americans With Disabilities Act., better lighting, sidewalks and signage.
Very sad. About to loose a 185 year old irreplaceable piece of history for a strip of asphalt. Our “leaders” have failed us in the name of personal greed.Embarrassed to live in Fishers and be a Republican and plan to close the businesses and move elsewhere.
Tho port authority is owned by Fishers, Noblesville and Hamilton County? And was created to save the line from abandonment? Why then Is it being abandoned? Hamilton County residents have been scammed and lied to and look very ignorant and foolish. Anyone notice how many homes have suddenly come up for sale along the rail line? They know they have been lied to by the mayors office and are leaving before the crime and blight that is Indianapolis arrives by direct trail link to their backyards, mere steps away from our children. Remember the murders on the Monon trail in Delphi? This is what residents have to look forward to, the rampant increase crime these trails bring. Just ask anyone who lives on one.
Mike: I live on a rail trail and have experienced no crime problem. Can you cite statistics on this? The larger issue is saving the rail line for rail and trail. This matter is still before the federal Surface Transportation Board, and much of the proposed trail has no funding at this point. There is zero mandate to hurry and pull up rails, and the Port Authority has no business intervening in this legal matter. 12,000 people said save the rails and desire train service. Their voices need to be heard, and heard now.
I have lived in various locations previously where there were extensive trails, with some having been converted from old rail systems. While I love the idea of new trails- in this case, I feel it is almost criminal to abandon the old Nickle Plate rail line. Hamilton County is still growing and would benefit from a modern light rail system connecting downtown Indy with Fishers and our northern neighbors. I am even more shocked that Marion County also wants to pull up this rail system.