Cloverdale continues to work towards resolutions with CSX

Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 12:49 PM

By Paul Gable

A work in progress.

That is how Cloverdale Town Council President Brandon Tancak describes the town's ongoing discussions with CSX.

Tancak told The Putnam County Post he has had discussions with the railroad company surrounding both Monon Avenue and tracks that are no longer used throughout Cloverdale.

At this month's Cloverdale Town Council meeting, Cloverdale Town Manager Jason Hartman told the council that United Consulting did survey work on Monon Avenue and discovered the path of the asphalt doesn't follow the path of land the town owns.

Tancak said when the current road was built, some of it actually sits on CSX property.

"I am not sure how the engineer at the time didn't catch it, but that is one of the issues with rebuilding the road," Tancak said.

A year ago, Cloverdale Town Council heard from a resident, who asked about removing abandoned railroad tracks that cross through Robert Weist Avenue. Over the years, CSX has removed a portion of the line that runs through Cloverdale, but there are still pieces that remain.

"Even though they were cut up into sections and not in use and never will be again for rail service, CSX is still considering them "active" railways. I was able to have an in person meeting with them in early December and we drove/walked these areas and they were willing to at least hear my thoughts and what I would like to see done with the "active" railway," said Tancak.

The Cloverdale Town Council President told The Putnam County Post he hopes to hear back from CSX by the end of February on his request.

"I want a trail for running, walking and biking that will connect C bar C to downtown Cloverdale. It will help further connect that arena to businesses in town. Plus, it will give families another reason to choose Cloverdale as their home," Tancak said.