Monterey Does Not Plan To Formally Enter Rail Trail Authority For Time Being

Monterey will not join the Rail Trail Authority…for now.

Mayor Nathan Walker said that after discussions with the Rail Trail Authority, Putnam County officials, and Cookeville City officials, they decided now is not the right time.

“We kind of came to the conclusion that they were, as of right now, their focus seems to be more of a westward expansion than an eastward expansion,” Walker said. “Just because of the difficulties of coming up the mountain.”

This comes after several months of discussion to figure out how the partnership would work with the town rejoining. Walker said that they are continuing discussions and looking at alternate routes that would come up from Brotherton or possibly Woodcliff.

Walker said that they believe Monterey is a ways away from anything occurring based on what he was told during that meeting. As a result, they do not have plans to enter into any formal agreement with them.

“We will still have representation there at their meetings so we’re are kind of involved in what’s going on,” Walker said. “We’ll just have a non-voting presence like we currently do.”

Walker said that another aspect that came up with Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter was the possibility of the county and Monterey working together on some of the funding projects and grant opportunities that come through the state and federally for any portion of the trail expansion they would like to explore themselves.

Walker said that the first thing that came to mind was coming from Monterey and potentially out to Meadow Creek and what that initial idea was. He said that is project they can look at down the line as opportunities become available.