FISHERS (WTHR) - A compromise has been reached on the Nickel Plate Trail in Hamilton County.
A proposal to turn it into a trail similar to the Monon Trail stirred up strong support on both sides of the debate.
This deal allows the plan to move forward on a trail from 96th Street in Fishers to Pleasant Street in Noblesville.
From that point north, it will remain a rail.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness released the following statement in regards to the compromise:
"I appreciate the hard work of everyone involved in making the Nickel Plate Trail a reality, including the strong leadership from Mayor Ditslear and the County Commissioners. The proposal approved today allows for the preservation of the train going north from Noblesville while providing a year round recreational trail amenity for our residents.
The Nickel Plate Railroad played an important role in our history as a city and I believe the Nickel Plate Trail will honor that history while creating an amenity that so many of our residents have requested. This will be transformational for the heart of our city and my team and I will work to involve as many community members in the planning of the trail design as possible. I look forward to honoring our past while celebrating the future of our vibrant city with the Nickel Plate Trail."
The city of Noblesville also released a statement:
"The joint decision made this morning by Hamilton County, the City of Fishers and City of Noblesville will provide the best of both worlds to our residents. By selecting Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad as the new operator, we are saving the Nickel Plate Railroad so that it never needs saving again. This option keeps the trains rolling from Downtown Noblesville, through Forest Park and north along the historic railroad. The other decision to pursue railbanking for the southern railroad leg starts the federal process to convert the line to a multiuse trail and preserves the right-of-way for any future mass transit opportunity."