BY KATHLEEN BOLUS
Times-Shamrock Writer
STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON
A grape vine served as the ceremonial ribbon cut at the opening of two former D&H railroad bridges that were redecked for the Rail-Trail in Clifford Twp. From left: Sandra Major, Alan Hall, Bob Breuche, Lynn Conrad, MaryAnn Warren, Lisa Baker and Lorne Possinger.
Beneath a canopy of green trees and above a babbling stream, the Rail-Trail Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania celebrated its latest achievement in creating an accessible and attractive multipurpose trail for the region.
“Today we get to celebrate some very well-constructed bridges, but these well-constructed bridges go beyond that. You’ve built bridges in this community,” said Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp.
Two newly decked railroad bridges in Clifford Twp. on the D&H Rail-Trail were officially opened after Susquehanna community members and volunteers clipped a ribbon — or, rather, entwined and decorated tree branches — Friday. The bridges are within 200 yards of each other and cross the upper Lackawanna River, just below Stillwater Dam.
The old bridge remains next to the newly redecked bridge spanning the Lackawanna River on the Rail-Trail in Clifford Twp. STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON
The trails are on the Delaware & Hudson Railway Co. rail bed that once brought Anthracite coal out of the Lackawanna Valley, said Lynn Conrad, executive director of the Rail-Trail Council.
“This is a 10-mile section that’s improved,” she said.
Decked with concrete, the bridges have new railings and access-control gates. The project was funded through grants from the Recreational Trails Program of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The Rail-Trail Council is working with other local preservation agencies to connect trails throughout the region as far south as the Philadelphia area.
“We look at it as a trail system,” said Natalie Gelb, executive director of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority. “We were able to re-deck two bridges south of here that really connect the urban and rural parts of the region.”
The D&H Rail Trail owns, manages and has built 38 miles of trails from Fell Twp. to the New York state border. Ms. Gelb’s organization manages the southern trails in Lackawanna County and the Scranton region.
Together, the organizations “recently completed a signage plan that will unify the look of the entire trail,” said Bob Breuche, president of the Rail-Trail Council board of directors.
Susquehanna County Commissioner Alan Hall pointed out a major appeal of the trails.
“This is a type of project that can be used year round,” he said, noting that with changing seasons, many outdoor attractions close. Snowmobiles, those on horseback, cross-country skiers and snowshoers use the trail during colder, snowier months.
“This is an investment in the community, in the county, in the region,” added Susquehanna County Commissioner MaryAnn Warren.
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