Extending the T-Bone Trail into Atlantic has been an idea in the works for years, with mixed results. This week officials say they are ready to make another attempt at the long-awaited project.
Cass County Conservation Director Micah Lee told the Cass County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that a route along Great River Road was in the preliminary stages of being considered, and officials were beginning the process of meeting with landowners to discuss selling right of way for the trail.
“We have talked to a few,and they are willing to look at it a little further. We’re just going to move ahead with that,” Lee said.
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“I’m more optimistic now than I’ve ever been,” Chase said about extending the trail. “The whole experience of the pandemic- people getting out and doing fresh air things. Utilization of trails has just increased.”
National groups have also become more involved since the trail is now part of two national trail systems — the American Discovery Trail and the Great American Rail-Trail.
The American Discovery Trail starts in Washington D.C. and ends in California and is made up of existing trails in each state. At the edge of Ohio, it splits into two trails -one which travels through Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska and another which travels through Illinois, Missouri and Kansas before meeting again in Colorado.
The Great American Rail-Trail starts in Washington D.C., and travels through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana and Washington State.
That is another reason that Chase is optimistic.
“Now we’re in constant contact with (national organization officials) because they want to see gaps closed. That hasn’t happened before,” he said.