Culver Town Manager Ginny Munroe asked the Marshall County Commissioners Monday morning for right-of way access for the third phase of the Lake Max Trail.
Munroe explained that the trail plan initially involved Academy Road and State Road 10. In 2018, the commissioners gave permission to the town to work in the right-of-way on Academy Road as it is governed by the commissioners. She noted that plans shifted when there was a change of the head of schools and other officials at Culver Academies. The new administration there strongly suggested a route change. Munroe stated INDOT gave permission to adjust the plans to include the negotiated alternate route.
“We worked with the engineers to look at a route that would go from our park, down the old railroad corridor north, crossing over State Road 10 to Sycamore, and then following Sycamore going east all the way to 16C, and then 16C would bring us back south toward State Road 10 and the loop would end there,” commented Munroe.
With this route, Culver Academy officials would grant easements at no cost for the project on their property as well as a utility easement for future work in an area west of the railroad corridor. They have also agreed to split the costs with the town for survey work, preliminary design, engineering, and environmental work on the new route which comes to nearly $60,000.
Commission President Kevin Overmyer asked Munroe if an agreement was signed between the Town of Culver and Culver Academies concerning the changes, and Munroe said Town Attorney Jim Clevenger was working on the agreement. Before the commissioners would approve right-of-way access on Sycamore Road and 16C, Overmyer said he would like to see the signed agreement that outlines the trail route and costs.
Munroe agreed to present an agreement to the commissioners once it is signed for right-of-way consideration.
