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‘Rail-with-trail’ supporters discuss new study of Nickel Plate railroad tracks

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) — Two local groups are trying to get the city of Fishers to change course when it comes to the Nickel Plate railroad corridor. 

On Monday night, the groups Save the Nickel Plate and the Hoosier Rails to Trails Council presented the findings of a privately funded study. The study backs the concept that the corridor stay a railroad with a trail built alongside it instead of the city’s plan for a trail only. 

The groups held an open house of sorts where the community was invited to ask questions and learn more about the “rail-with-trail” idea.

Gurinder Singh, a “rail-with-trail” supporter, said, “As we grow, the congestion will be moreso down the road in the future, We can have this 37-mile of corridor that will be for the whole regional area, not just Fishers.” 

(Singh is one of four Republican candidates in the race for three Fishers City Council at-large bids. They others, according to Hamilton County election records, are Rich Block, Cecilia Coble and Todd Zimmerman.)

The city of Fishers unveiled its plan for a trail-only corridor in February. The city had to get federal approval for its master plan for the trail. City leaders hope to break ground on the transformation in the fall.