Segment of Trail Closed to All Users During Construction
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Office of General Services (OGS) today announced the start of 2023 construction on the Adirondack Rail Trail between Station Street in Lake Placid and Broadway in Saranac Lake. This trail segment is now closed to all users during construction.
The world-class Adirondack Rail Trail is a 34-mile multi-use recreational path for outdoor adventurers between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid. OGS is leading the trail's design and construction with the intent to make it accessible by people of all abilities to the maximum extent practicable. Upon completion of construction, DEC will assume day-to-day management of the trail working closely with stakeholders and municipalities. Estimated timing to complete the Rail Trail is dependent on multiple factors including contract approvals, permits, and coordinating with State, Federal, and local entities. Construction of the compacted stone dust surfaced trail will be undertaken in stages. The work now underway is part of phase one of the Rail Trail project and is anticipated to be completed in the fall.
Bids for phase two of construction were submitted in late March. Construction is scheduled to begin as early as May 2023 between Saranac Lake and Floodwood Road, Lake Clear. Construction of the Adirondack Rail Trail is anticipated to be done in three phases. As each phase concludes, the completed portion of trail will open to the public and be managed according to the 2020 UMP Amendment and the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan.
Recent updates include:
- Lake Placid to Saranac Lake: Use of the Corridor is prohibited for the duration of the summer until phase 1 is complete. Please respect posted signage and barricades.
- Saranac Lake to Tupper Lake: Interim recreation is allowed at users' own risk on this unimproved section of the Corridor. Public use may be limited or restricted in sections due to hazardous conditions or active construction or maintenance. Please respect posted signage and barricades.
- Saranac Lake Depot: Work has begun on the parking lot at the Saranac Lake Depot.
Starting in October 2020, the New York State Department of Transportation worked to remove rail infrastructure from the Tupper Lake to Lake Placid segment of the corridor. Upon transferring jurisdiction to DEC in March 2022, DEC assumed management of public safety and recreational activities, as well as maintenance, along this segment of the corridor. Phase one of construction began in November 2022 before pausing for the winter months.
Additional details about the 2020 Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor Unit Management Plan Amendment/Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement are available at DEC's website.
