The Federal Surface Transportation Board today issued its decision granting the owners of the Nickel Plate Rail, the Cities of Fishers and Noblesville and Hamilton County, with the ability to convert the Nickel Plate Rail into a pedestrian trail pursuant to the National Trails System Act and the Board’s interim trail use regulations.
This determination confirms the owners have legal authority to proceed with rail banking the entire line which runs from Indianapolis to Tipton. The owners will continue working with the Board to complete the rail banking process and to finalize a trails use agreement, which will provide communities along the line with the opportunity to convert rail to trail within their jurisdiction.
Upon completion of the Board’s process, the City of Fishers will immediately pursue the conversion of the Nickel Plate line to a trail from 96th street to 146th street. The City released its plans to convene a Nickel Plate Trail Master Planning Committee to facilitate the development of the trail.
For more information or for project updates, please visit www.nickelplatetrail.com.