(Note: Click on the image to see a map; download a .pdf of the map at the bottom of this page.)
Rails to Trails/Tesla Museum
On Thursday, August 15, Legislator Sarah Anker was joined by County Executive Steve Bellone, Congressman Tim Bishop, LIPA’s Vice President of Environmental Affairs Michael Deering, Friends of Tesla President Jane Alcorn, elected officials and civic leaders to announce Suffolk County’s plans to advance the Rails to Trails pedestrian and bike path.
At the July 30 General Legislative Meeting, County Legislators unanimously approved legislation to authorize the lease of portions of LIPA owned right-of-way from Mount Sinai to Wading River allowing the county to begin the planning steps for the path.
“For over ten years, the Rails to Trails Project has faced obstacles and challenges,” said Anker. “This project will be a tremendous asset to our community as it will provide a safe outlet for people to run, walk and bike recreationally. The project will also create a green transportation alternative that will help economic development, reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and encourage healthier lifestyles.”
“I am pleased that Legislator Anker and I have been able to work together to bring this unique opportunity to fruition,” said County Executive Bellone. “The development of this historic right-of-way is the right thing to do for Suffolk County. I thank Congressman Bishop for being a great partner and steadfast in his support of this project and I thank LIPA for providing the opportunity to create the Rails to Trails project on the existing LIPA right-of-way.”
The agreement between LIPA and the county will allow Suffolk to move forward in utilizing the underused land as a route for recreational and pedestrian use, running parallel with the Route 25A corridor. With a right-of-way agreement in place, final engineering plans can move forward.
“The Long Island Power Authority is excited for the Rails to Trails venture and the positive impacts it will bring to the community,” said Michael J. Deering, Vice President of Environmental Affairs for LIPA. “As Long Islanders continue to migrate towards a healthier lifestyle, whether it be walking, running, or cycling, the timing for this project couldn’t be better. We were pleased to work side by side with Congressman Bishop, Executive Bellone, Legislator Anker and other government officials and community leaders in order to move the ball forward on this first of a kind project for Long Island.”
The project is funded under the Federal Highway Administration’s Scenic Byways grant, and cannot be used for anything but a bike and pedestrian trail. Thanks to Congressman Bishop’s oversight, approximately $6.5 million has been secured to design and construct the path that will serve to enhance pedestrian and bicycle access.
“With this exciting Rails to Trails project moving forward, the federal funds I secured will continue to enhance our North Shore communities for decades to come," said Congressman Tim Bishop. “Not only will this project serve as a gateway to the new Tesla Museum, it will be an outstanding resource for bikers and pedestrians to exercise and enjoy safely.”
As part of a community based partnership, Anker is working to create a shared parking lot at the newly acquired Tesla museum with the Rails to Trails bike path. The proximity of the trail to the 5,200-acre RCA state preserve, Brookhaven State Park and the new Tesla Museum, will maximize the area’s ecotourism value as well as complement a gateway to the North Fork farming community.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The proposed Port Jefferson to Wading River Bicycle and Pedestrian Path comprises a ten-mile strip of abandoned Long Island Rail Road right-of-way presently owned by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), which utilizes it as an electrical distribution right-of-way. The land as it currently exists travels through areas of residential and commercial development and exhibits grass areas with moderate to heavy natural vegetation in most locations that serves to screen the path visually from surrounding neighborhoods. The project area comprises six hamlets in the Town of Brookhaven, including Port Jefferson Station, Mount Sinai, Miller Place, Sound Beach, Rocky Point, and Shoreham as well as Wading River in the Town of Riverhead. The LIPA right-of-way runs in the east-west direction and parallel to Route 25A approximately 300 to 500 feet to the north.
PROJECT HISTORY
The project was reportedly initiated in 2001 by Mr. Mike Cosel, a 40 year resident of Setauket and an activist responsible for initiating the Setauket-Port Jefferson Greenway Trail (recently constructed by the NYSDOT). Mr. Cosel presented this idea to the then-Legislator Martin Haley who was in favor of the plan and organized the initial meetings with LILCO. The County then secured $2 million under a federal grant to help finance the project. The successive County Legislator Daniel Losquadro continued with advancing the project, taking an active role in the negotiations between Suffolk County and LIPA. Congressman Timothy Bishop, was able to transfer/secure part of the $10 million in unused federal money set aside more than a decade ago for East End scenic bikeways for use on the Port Jefferson to Wading River Bicycle and Pedestrian Path.
CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS
From 2006 to 2011 there have been various issues concerning the contractual obligations of all parties involved including County, LIPA and FHWA/NYSDOT.
In January 2009, the Long Island Power Authority and Suffolk County finalized an agreement. LIPA will allow Suffolk County to build the 10-mile path along the abandoned Long Island Rail Road track on the company's property. The County would assume liability for injuries on and off the trail from dawn to dusk and for injuries on the trail at all times. In exchange, LIPA would allow public access. The County would plan and build the trail and maintain it with help from volunteers.
With the LIPA/County agreement in-place, the next step is the preparation of a contract between Suffolk County and NYSDOT/FHWA to obligate the federal funding. During the final stages of this contract, one issue has arose. The FHWA wanted the County to have an absolute right to the property, and LIPA has stated that they cannot legally give that away. The solution was for the County to accept the very small risk that they may have to pay back the FHWA funds used in a portion of the project if something completely unexpected happened that somehow made a portion of the path impassable. This is not likely since LIPA requires an open, access path for their own use in maintaining their facilities. However, if LIPA needed to completely block off the 100’ +/- right-of-way width to accommodate a structure related to their facilities, the County would be required to acquire a short piece of right-of-way to get around the blockage or construct an alternate route segment i.e. relying on an existing, parallel on-road route. Currently, the County has indicated they are accepting of the risk.
ENGINEERING & PLANNING
In September 2005, SCDPW solicited proposals from qualified engineering firms for planning and design services for the construction of the 10-mile path. SCDPW selected The RBA Group of Melville, NY to provide the necessary surveying, planning and engineering services consisting of the following scope:
• Conduct a complete topographic survey of the project area
• Survey and field verify utilities
• Establish existing property line information and prepare easement
maps
• Develop conceptual design alternatives
• Implement community outreach program and solicit feedback on
alternatives
• Prepare Design Report and Environmental Assessment Form
• Prepare preliminary plans for the preferred alternative
• Prepare construction cost estimates
• Attend CEQ meeting and conduct public meetings as needed
• Prepare final design plans and contract documents
The County and the consultant reached an agreement and the contract was prepared for County Executive approval in November 2009.
