The Hoosier Heritage Port Authority, operators of the Nickel Plate rail line, has recommended acceptance of a bid which would pay owners $289,750 and remove the rails and ties on the Nickel Plate between Noblesville and downtown Indianapolis.
The bid from A&K Railroad Materials, Inc., gives Noblesville, Fishers and Hamilton County – as owners of the railroad right-of-way – a net profit due to the salvage value of the steel rails, according to port authority attorney, Anne Poindexter. But, she noted, the deal is contingent on the cities and county agreeing to the bid’s terms.
Hoosier Heritage Port Authority President David George explains the bids received to remove Nick Plate rail line tracks. (Photo provided by Larry Lannan)
The port authority members met Monday to consider five bids which were received for the project. The action is a first step toward converting the rail bed into a greenway trail similar to the Monon trail which runs through Carmel, Westfield and Sheridan.
Before work can begin on trail construction, an agreement must be signed involving Indianapolis, Fishers and Noblesville, the three municipalities through which the trail will run. A number of issues will need to be decided including traffic control at major intersections such as 146th Street and how to deal with highway repair if needed where the rail bed elevation may be altered.
The ultimate cost of building the new trail has not been determined. No timetable for construction has been established.
North of Noblesville, the present use of the railroad for excursion train traffic will be unchanged. Trains, operated by the Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad, are now running from Noblesville to Atlanta.