Chemung County officials are moving ahead with plans to construct a new eight-mile connector trail that will link two existing trails, but one of the municipalities the new trail will pass through — the Village of Horseheads — is raising some red flags.
For the past few years, the Elmira-Chemung Transportation Council has been looking at the feasibility of building a trail that would connect the Catharine Valley Trail, which runs from the Horseheads area to Watkins Glen, with the Lackawanna Rail Trail, which stretches from Eldridge Park in Elmira to the Wellsburg-Lowman crossover.
The project got a boost in July 2025 when U.S. Rep. Nicholas Langworthy announced the Appalachian Regional Commission awarded a $248,815 grant to help fund the work. The proposal would create a 29-mile continuous trail corridor that’s expected to enhance tourism and related economic opportunities, as well as improve mobility and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists along the route.
But the Village of Horseheads Board of Trustees wrote a letter to county Planning Commissioner David McCormick to express concerns over traffic impact, safety and other issues.
“The village has specific concerns regarding the proposed trail segment near Hamlet Delights at 103 Sayre St. This area includes a blind S-curve with limited sight distance for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists,” the letter stated.
“Adding a trail crossing, entrance, or increased activity could heighten safety risks,” the letter said. “Before the village can consider supporting the project, the county should provide information on how it will address the significant safety concerns for trail users and drivers on South Main Street.”
Trustees also outlined other concerns in the letter, including the potential need for increased police enforcement and related costs, long-term trail maintenance, and a request that the county provide written confirmation the village will not be required to assume unfunded maintenance, enforcement, liability, capital replacement, or administrative responsibilities.
Michael Perry, deputy director of the Elmira-Chemung Transportation Council, said county officials are aware of the issues raised in the letter and promised they will be addressed.
“It will be discussed with all stakeholders as the project moves forward,” Perry said. “We’re also aware that there are concerns with the trail’s current path through the village, and we’ll be reaching out to village officials and residents prior to any work being completed in the village.”
The original timetable called for work on the first phase of the project, from Eldridge Park to I-86, to get underway this summer, but Perry said the county is waiting on a state Transportation Alternatives Program grant, and that stage of the work will probably begin in 2027 or possibly 2028.
There are no firm construction dates for the future section of the trail north of I-86 through the Village of Horseheads, he said, because there is still design work that needs to be done.
Meanwhile, officials in two other municipalities affected by the connector trail, the Village of Elmira Heights and the City of Elmira, have no issues with plans they’ve seen.
“We had a public meeting. I think we don’t have any major concerns. I did write a letter of support for them to seek grants,” said Elmira Heights Mayor Margaret Smith. “There were some concerns raised about people coming off the trail and going into yards. I will say people are looking for bike trails and hiking trails. Hopefully it will bring good tourism. I think it would be good.”
Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell is likewise in favor of the connector trail project.
“We’re for it. It will add tourism and people will get outdoors,” Mandell said. “We don’t have anything as far as safety concerns. We’re not concerned at all.”
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Project aims to connect Chemung County trails. Horseheads has concerns
Reporting by Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
