One of the few bits of good news that the town of Easton experienced during the rough days of COVID was the explosion of the use of the current Rails-to-Trails pathway. While popular well before the national pandemic hit, the increase in use during the last few years can only be seen as reassuring to local government officials and the general public that this kind of investment indeed pays off.
It also must make town stakeholders overjoyed as they note that the new east-to-west expansion of the trails is taking shape quickly, and will be available for use in a matter of months. But what many in the community might not realize is that there is still much more to come.
The Spy asked Kody Cario, the project manager for the Town of Easton, to come over to the studio last week to talk about the current status of the Rails-to-Trails and what is planned over the next few years.
This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about the Rails-to-Trails project please inquire here.
Thomas kicklighter says
The rails to trails expansion is a win for all. Exciting.
Melisa Gosnell says
Sure would be a joy to have an actual train on those rails. Maybe someday. Anyway great!
Jerry McConnell says
It’s delightful to see folks so excited about a $Million$ + + project that no actual living residents ever asked for, one that’s going to disrupt traffic in the town and, especially, on the Easton Bypass ( known by town officials and public relations perps as the “Scenic Parkway”).
This thing is going to interrupt traffic on four major North-South streets: Aurora, Hanson, Harrison and Washington Streets, at spots prime for backup when traffic is heavy.
It’s also, unfortunately, going to further slow traffic on the bypass by adding the NEW STOP LIGHT at Glenwood Avenue.
—actually, stopping traffic on State Highway 322.
Which is completely avoidable and unnecessary. The TOE Parks and Recreation Dept and Engineering Department are negligent in not using the existing stop light at Port Street and #322, which could then use Flood Street ( essentially parallel to the bypass) to access Glenwood Avenue right at the new Easton Point Park.
The explanation is that the plan calls for the trail to be extended through Moton Park ( after a new stop/crosswalk on Port Street), and then that Maryland State Roads Dept is making the call on the stop light at Glenwood Avenue.
Despite the the fact that the new trail extension will connect with the pedestrian bridge over the headwaters of the Tred Avon River AND Easton Village, it’s unlikely that many people will actually think about taking the trail from anywhere in town to shop at Target, as Mr Cario suggests.
Would any amount of bike and pedestrian traffic justify another traffic stop on the bypass? When there’s one already less than a quarter mile away that could easily and more efficiently be used?