Since the 1970s, the Trainman’s Walk on the Alaska Railroad’s Talkeetna River bridge has meant safe access for residents of the Chase community.
The Trainman’s Walk not only allows pedestrians, but also ATVs to cross into the Chase area. Originally built to 50 inches, the entrance of the walk was slightly narrower to limit access to only include smaller ATVs. Last fall, the Trainman’s Walk was rebuilt to the narrower width, which damaged even small ATVs and encouraged others to ride on the tracks. According to Alaska Railroad External Affairs Director Meghan Clemens speaking at the July Talkeetna Community Council meeting, the Railroad made the decision to widen the Trainman’s Walk to 60 inches.
Chase Community Council Chair Mike Wood spoke against the widening at the Council meeting. Though the decision had already been made, the Chase Community Council continues to request a reconsideration of the width, or at least bollards at the entrance that would limit traffic to smaller ATVs. The widened Walk will not only permit larger, heavier ATVs to cross, but also might encourage more traffic overall, which Wood says has already increased.
According to Wood, the Chase Trail was built with no underlayment. He says it’s just dirt on ferns. And with increased traffic and heavier ATVs, they may have maintenance issues moving forward.
Mat-Su Borough Community Development Director Jillian Morrissey says by email that the Borough will monitor the situation and make recommendations if additional maintenance or trail user expectations are needed.
Wood says the Borough provides the community with some funding to maintain the trail for five miles, almost to mile 232. The community has a box-blade tractor to groom the trail each fall. And there are three groomers that drag behind snowmachines for winter maintenance. He says the community has some funding to rent machinery should they need to, but would need the Railroad to transport it, which may mean additional cost. Some equipment operators request payment and others donate their time. Either way, Wood says, the Borough leaves the maintenance to the community.
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