Terre Haute hopes to replace abandoned rail lines with trees

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) - Abandoned railroad tracks could give way to a tree-lined boulevard under a plan being developed in Terre Haute.

The western Indiana city wants to remove unused tracks along First Street this spring and plant ornamental shade trees about every 35 feet.

An environmental study will be done first to test for contaminants in the soil. City planner Pat Martin tells the Tribune-Star (http://bit.ly/17uV0ep ) the tests will determine whether the soil is safe for trees before the city invests in new plantings.

The Federal Surface Transportation Board in November approved the abandonment of nearly 1.4 miles of track between CSX Transportation's main line and its connection with the Indiana Railroad Co. CSX says no local rail traffic has moved over the line in more than two years.

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Information from: Tribune-Star, http://www.tribstar.com