After the presentation, the audience was encouraged to move around to four writing boards stationed in the corners of the room. There, people could record there opinions and questions. I wrote down some of the most interesting (and sometimes funny) comments, so I'll relay them here.
- few people using existing trails
- shorter trails from population centers in conjunction with rail
- doubt rail estimate
- widen rte 86 and 73? Cost?
- many, many trails - one railroad - extreme to eliminate the only railroad - this is extinction
- extinction is progress
- no interest in train from Utica to Tupper Lake - Interest in train from Utica to Lake Placid
- when are they going to start paying Adirondack Scenic RR?
- If the track comes up and DOT has eminent domain - can they close the snowmobile trails through the wilderness area?
So, what do you think?
It's definitely a tough debate, with positive and negative implications on both sides. I think it comes down to what the majority of ADK residents and visitors would want - how they would end up using the land most. Would they find more use having another trail, even though at least one person says that few people use trails anyways? Or would it be best restored as a railway, considering how many people would take advantage of the service?
ReplyDeleteThe argument of keeping the railroad because it's the only one left is weak. The "extinction is progress" was a funny jab :)
Theres also the consideration that revamping the railroads, while less of a burden money wise, would be a huge disruption to the ecosystem. There is a reason why these railroads need updating, because they no longer meet current regulations. Widening these openings, creating outlets, access roads, etc, all have greater implications than we may be considering.
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