Vestal Rail Trail Expansion Moves Forward

A popular Western Broome County walking trail is about to expand. Construction is underway to add on to the Vestal Rail Trail.

The town has spent $240,000 on an engineering study. Officials have now approved borrowing another $225,000 in order to secure federal money for completion of the project.

The plans call for adding over 1 1/2 miles onto the 2.1 mile trail. The new portion would stretch between Main Street and Castle Gardens. The project also calls for a handicapped-accessible pedestrian bridge over Choconut Creek.

It's hoped the majority of the expansion would be done before the end of the year.

The town board still needs to approve bids for the paving of the new portion of trail.