We Hear You!

Thank you for sharing your questions during the information session at the Landrum Farmers Market on August 18 where we shared the design plans for the first five-mile phase of the project in South Carolina. To address your questions in a comprehensive way, we are answering them over a series of blog posts to ensure that we keep you as informed as possible! 

Today’s topic: Funding, Scheduling & Phasing  

Some of the questions addressed in this post include:  

• When will the first 5 miles of the trail be completed? 
• What is the start date for construction of the first section? 
• Where is the money coming from? 
• Is the project fully funded?  
• Is there a timeline for certain areas to be started or completed? 

Steps in the Process	Status	SC	NC
Appraisal	Complete	Private Funds	State of NC
Feasibility Study	Complete	Private Funds	State of NC Private Funds
Due Diligence  Survey  Title Investigation  Phase 1 Environmental Assessment  Legal Fees	Complete	Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)  grant: $250,000   Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) ARISE planning grant	State of NC ARC ARISE planning grant
Corridor Acquisition	Complete	$15.75M*  State of SC  SC Conservation Bank	$12.75M  State of NC
Community Engagement Plan; Economic Development Plan; Marketing Plan	Complete	$450,000 ARISE planning grant, FHWA grant	$450,000 ARISE planning grant, FHWA grant
Design & Engineering	In progress for SC; Not started in NC	$6M HUD grant	Seeking federal grants
Equipment & Rail Removal	In progress with contractor selection   underway	Proceeds from the sale of track materials will help fund trail construction.	Proceeds from the sale of track materials will help fund trail construction.
Construction	Not started	SC/NC line to Landrum: HUD grant and we are applying for an ARC ARISE implementation grant	NC/SC line to Tryon:  we are applying for an ARC ARISE implementation grant

 * Funds paid to Spartanburg County government and then directly to Norfolk Southern; these funds did not pass through the nonprofit partners. 

Project costs are determined based on designs. These designs include trail widths, materials, bridges, trailheads, etc., all of which factor into construction costs. For example, a 12-ft-wide trail and a 16-ft-wide trail constructed of the same materials do not cost the same to build. As we design each section, we will better understand the funding needs for implementation. 

Scheduling 

Assuming that funding falls into place, we are aiming to solicit construction contractors in the spring of 2027 for the SC/NC line to Landrum section, with construction to follow. We hope you will be enjoying at least part of the trail by 2028. This graphic shows the timeline for building a rail trail. 

Phasing

We cannot wait to get a first phase on the ground to demonstrate to you our commitment to making this project a reality and building continued momentum. Additional construction phases will begin as we continue to work with our many partners, including you, to move this project forward. 

Stay Connected 

We will be updating our Saluda Grade Trail FAQs page with detailed answers to these and many more questions we received at the public meeting. Please look for future blog posts for more information. Signing up for our email newsletter will keep you updated on future announcements and events. 

The planned Saluda Grade Trail will travel through scenic Upstate South Carolina into the mountains of Western North Carolina. The route passes through charming small towns including Inman, Campobello, Landrum, Tryon, Saluda, and Zirconia. PAL has partnered with Conserving Carolina to spearhead this effort. These organizations share a commitment to serving their communities and providing places for outdoor recreation. 

Want to support the trail? 

If you want to make a financial contribution to this transformational project, follow the links at: https://www.saludagradetrail.org/saluda-grade-trail-donations