News

Commissioners, Ecusta Trail advocates to celebrate purchase of rail corridor

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 16, 2021

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners scheduled a ribbon cutting for 4 p.m. today to celebrate the purchase of the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad corridor for the Ecusta Trail.

"The transaction to railbank the 19 mile rail corridor and transfer ownership to an LLC owned by Conserving Carolina has concluded," the Friends of Ecusta Trail announced. "It is now official! Track will soon be removed and construction will soon start. The Ecusta Trail will be a strong economic driver for our counties."

The event will take place near the railroad tracks at South Church Street, the eastern terminus of the trail. It will include brief remarks by the Henderson County commissioners and others and an update regarding the purchase of the 19.4-mile rail corridor.

Parking for the event will be in the Fresh Market parking lot near the United Federal Credit Union. People attending were advised to wear suitable footwear for the short hike across the grassy field to the tent near the railroad tracks. In the event of inclement weather (heavy thunderstorms), the event will be moved to the Community Room on the second floor of the Historic Courthouse.