Vestal Trail Extension Project Nearing Completion

Construction of a 1.7-mile extension to a walking trail in Vestal should be finished next spring.

Vestal town supervisor John Schaffer says "people are excited" about the project to add to the existing rail trail that attracts many users year-round.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Schaffer said the additional trail will run from Main Street to Castle Gardens.

Schaffer said the town has just approved a bid for the finishing phase of the new walkway, which will include dirt work.

A bridge over Choconut Creek was put in place a few weeks ago. That span runs parallel to State Route 17, on the north side of the highway. The supervisor said the bridge had to be capable of supporting an emergency vehicle.

The bridge has a 20,000-pound vehicle load limit.

The original rail trail is 2.1 miles long. Schaffer said another trail section in the eastern section of the town may be developed in the future.

Schaffer said developer Marc Newman has indicated he plans to turn over more property that could be used to extend the rail trail by almost two more miles.

Schaffer said he believes that trail could be developed using town workers because it would be constructed over an existing rail bed, similar to the original trail.