1. 1 The Pike 2 Bike Corridor An Opportunity for Bedford and Fulton Counties “A Destination, Not a Trail”

2. 2 Presentation Outline Introduction, Photos & Map Project History Environmental Issues Recent Efforts: Tunnels Inspection (2013) Economic Impact Analysis (2013-14) Next Steps: Master Plan Update Property Transfer to ?? and …. BUILD IT!

3. 3 Introduction Early attempt to construct a railroad – 1880s PA Turnpike opened in 1940 Congestion at tunnels (4 lanes to 2) Abandonment of 11 miles and 2 tunnels in 1968 (Rays Hill 0.7 mi; Sideling Hill 1.3 mi) Property utilization since 1968: snowplow training, rumble strips, military testing and training, movies, etc.

4. 4 Sideling Hill Tunnel & Roadway

5. 5 Sideling Hill Tunnel

6. 6 Roadway Condition

7. 7 Railroad History – 1880s

8. 8 Project History - SAC Property deeded to non-profit SAC in 2001 “And the said grantee hereby agrees that in the event grantee ceases to use the property as a recreational biking trail, grantee hereby agrees to obtain approval from the grantor, its successors and assigns prior to conveying said property to any other party including successors.” 205 acres in a single deed

9. 9 Project History - SAC Property deeded to non-profit SAC in 2001 “ And the said grantee…hereby agree(s) that in the event the grantor…require(s) said property conveyed herein for additional highway or a related purposed…the grantee hereby agree(s) to convey to grantor said property without cost…grantor… hereby agrees to give grantee a six (6) months notice of its intent to exercise this revisionary option.”

10. 10 Project History – Master Plan “Pike 2 Bike Trail Network Master Plan and Adaptive Re-Use Study” (2006) $3.05 million project cost Multi-use: biking, hiking, horses Rehab tunnels; 12-ft travel lane with 1.5-in bituminous overlay East and west trailheads with limited parking 8 phases over 10 years

11. 11 Project History – Master Plan Ownership Options: SAC (non-profit) New non-profit Separate county ownership Joint municipal authority (Bedford & Fulton Counties)

12. 12 Project History – Master Plan Ownership Options – Joint Municipal Authority “ A multi-governmental form of ownership under one legal entity could represent the most qualified form of ownership, when considering the ability to raise capital…such an arrangement would be viewed as a regional cooperative project, therefore, given higher priority at both the state and federal level.”

13. 13 Project History – Master Plan Ownership Options – Joint Municipal Authority “Bedford County Peer-to-Peer Study for Parks, Recreation and Open Space Management” (2012) Recommendation: Establish an authority to acquire and manage the Pike 2 Bike corridor

14. 14 Project History – Master Plan Management Options 1 manager 1 part-time admin/bookkeeper Volunteers “In order for this staffing approach to succeed a steady funding stream to support the staff salaries will need to be determined.”

15. 15 Project History – Master Plan Environmental Concerns DCNR – Buchanan State Forest DCNR – Tunnels (endangered bats) Underground storage tanks

16. 16 Tunnels Inspection Sept. 2013

17. 17 Tunnels Inspection Sept. 2013 Conducted by Michael Gross, P.E. (Buchart Horn, Inc.) Main structural components “fair” Replace broken and damaged ceiling hanger rods; channel groundwater seepage; rehabilitate portal buildings; install a tunnel lighting system Sideling Hill: Worse groundwater issues and ceiling slab. Rays Hill: Worse hanger rods

18. 18 Tunnels Inspection Sept. 2013 Estimated cost for rehabilitation = $2.34 M (range $1.75 M to $2.5 M) Cost does not include contractor bid phase services or inspection Cost estimate is for limited rehabilitation of tunnels and portal buildings Repair of most critical items; followed by implementation of a program of inspection and maintenance

19. 19 Tunnels Inspection Sept. 2013 Recommendation for further evaluation “ An additional inspection and further discussions will be necessary to determine a required level of repair that will render the tunnels to be safely operational for a bike trail, but not so cost prohibitive that the project cannot be undertaken.”

20. 20 Economic Impact Analysis Economic Impact Analysis: The Missing Piece If we build it, “so what?” What is the economic benefit? Necessary to attract support for the project and provide a basis for funding

21. 21 Economic Impact Analysis Bedford County (Marcellus Legacy Fund) Fulton County (Marcellus Legacy Fund) Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor (DCNR) Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Bedford County Planning Commission

22. 22 Economic Impact Analysis Fourth Economy Consulting (Pittsburgh) Literature review and online survey Online survey had approx. 700 responses Utilized IMPLAN modeling software Final report approved by Bedford and Fulton County Planning Commissions and adopted by respective Boards of Commissioners (2014)

23. 23 Economic Impact Analysis - Survey Survey Results – Respondents (N=511) Own a bicycle73.6% Bedford/Fulton57.3% Business Owner22.5% Farmer 7.2% Own a Horse 6.3%

24. 24 Economic Impact Analysis - Survey Survey Results – Current Uses of Trails (N=511) Walking/Hiking81.6% Bicycling66.7% Historical Trails29.9% Camping/Backpack26.4% Running/Jogging25.2% Skiing/Skijoring15.1% Geocaching 14.7% Horseback Riding 5.7%

25. 25 Economic Impact Analysis - Survey Survey Results – Economic Impact (N = 202) Residents Bedford = 134 Fulton = 68 P2B increase tax revenues? 82.2% Yes/May P2B more job security? 80.2% Yes/May

26. 26 Economic Impact Analysis - Survey Survey Results – Economic Impact (N = 133) Business Owners P2B positive impact on business? 45.1%Yes/Poss P2B bring new jobs & economic opportunity 76.2% Yes/Poss

27. 27 Economic Impact Analysis - Survey Survey Results – Potential Users Miles Willing to Travel for Biking/Hiking Trail (N=359) 1 - 1010.0% 11 - 5047.4% 51 - 10027.3% >10015.3% Total 42.6%

28. 28 Economic Impact Analysis - Survey Survey Results – Potential Users Hours/Year Willing to Volunteer on P2B (N = 94) 1 - 1051.1% 11 - 2523.4% 26 - 5014.9% >5010.6% TOTAL HOURS 3785

29. 29 Economic Impact Analysis Evaluated 3 scenarios for trail development, with increasing levels of amenities (1,2,3) Estimated potential costs Evaluated potential economic impacts Determined #years for return on investment

30. 30 Economic Impact Analysis SCENARIO 1: SAFETY FIRST Repair tunnels and install solar lighting Resurface trails Parking areas with restrooms $3.85 million cost; 56 construction + operations jobs Min 25,000 annual visitors spending $1.34M Return on investment in 11 years

31. 31 Economic Impact Analysis SCENARIO 2: MULTI-USER TRAIL Same repairs and upgrades as Scenario 1 + Historical museum (RR & Turnpike) in McConnellsburg Midway rest area/pavilion; access to water $4.87 million cost; 88 construction + operations jobs 100,000 annual visitors spending $5.36M Return on investment in 8 years

32. 32 Economic Impact Analysis SCENARIO 3: WORLD-CLASS TRAIL Same repairs and upgrades as Scenario 2 + Additional mid-way trailhead Connection to Bicycle Route S 2 full-time staff & mktng; large events/year $6.87 million cost; 144 construction + operations jobs 225,000 annual visitors spending $12.05M Return on investment in 6 years

33. 33 Economic Impact Analysis - Summary SCENARIO 1 2 3 Cost$3.85M$4.87M$6.87M Total Jobs5688144 Visitors/Year25K100K225K Spending/Year$1.34M$5.36M$12.05M ROI11 years8 years6 years

34. 34 Next Steps – Master Plan Update Formation of a Bedford-Fulton committee Update Master Plan: Preliminary design & costs (e.g., parking, amenities, tunnels, trail surface and lighting) Update Master Plan: Evaluate management options and dedicated funding for staff Add estimate of costs for long-term maintenance and a dedicated funding source What will happen for the next 20 years? 50?

35. 35 Next Steps – Property Transfer SAC cannot complete the project How will the counties take ownership? Individual ownership of land in each county? Cooperative effort, e.g., joint municipal authority Option of a state takeover (State Parks?) Transfer of ownership is critical to funding, design and construction

36. 36 Contact Information Don Schwartz, Director Bedford County Planning Commission 200 S. Juliana Street Bedford, PA 15522 (814)-623-4827 dschwartz@bedfordcountypa.org

37. 37 Contact Information Don Schwartz, Director Bedford County Planning Commission 200 S. Juliana Street Bedford, PA 15522 (814)-623-4827 dschwartz@bedfordcountypa.org