Saluda Grade Trail gets $12M boost from North Carolina to buy Norfolk Southern corridor

Bob Montgomery, Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Updated

More funding is earmarked for the Saluda Grade Trail to convert 31.5 miles of the old train tracks into a recreation trail running from the Upstate into the mountains of western North Carolina.

The North Carolina state budget, approved Sept. 22, includes $12 million over two years to purchase the 16-mile portion of the rail corridor in North Carolina, land trust Conserving Carolina of Hendersonville, N.C., announced Monday.

That's in addition to $15 million appropriated by the South Carolina Legislature since last year for the 15.5-mile trail portion in South Carolina.

A portion of the Saluda Grade Trail route near a waterfall in Saluda, N.C.
A portion of the Saluda Grade Trail route near a waterfall in Saluda, N.C.

"We are grateful for this major investment in the Saluda Grade Trail, so this unused rail line can once again serve as a vital asset for our communities," stated Kieran Roe, executive director of Conserving Carolina.

Conserving Carolina is working with Upstate Forever and PAL (Play, Advocate, Live Well) to purchase the inactive Saluda Grade railroad corridor from Norfolk Southern. The route passes through historic downtowns in Saluda, Tryon, Landrum, and Inman.

"Norfolk Southern is ready to sell the railroad corridor and this proposed funding would allow us to seize this opportunity for our communities and our state," Roe stated.

A $10 million earmark for the Saluda Grade Trail is among nearly $50 million in state funds targeted for the Spartanburg area in the recently approved state budget for 2023-24. Shown is a map of the planned 31-mile trail.
A $10 million earmark for the Saluda Grade Trail is among nearly $50 million in state funds targeted for the Spartanburg area in the recently approved state budget for 2023-24. Shown is a map of the planned 31-mile trail.

When active from 1878 to 2001, the rail line along the Blue Ridge Escarpment was renowned as the steepest standard gauge mainline railroad ever built in the U.S., according to Laura Ringo, executive director of PAL.

While the exact sale price is part of the confidential agreement, earlier this year Ringo said PAL and Conserving Carolina are raising funds to help pay for the rail line acquisition. Donations can be made through saludagradetrail.org.

A portion of the Saluda Grade Trail near Campobello, Spartanburg County.
A portion of the Saluda Grade Trail near Campobello, Spartanburg County.

Meanwhile, the Saluda Grade Trail Conservancy is seeking public input on the vision for the multi-purpose trail.

The first public input session will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Inman Public Library. The second session will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 19 at Polk County High School.

Bob Montgomery covers Spartanburg County politics and growth & development. Reach him via email at bob.montgomery@shj.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Saluda Grade Trail gets $12M from North Carolina for rail corridor

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