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ROSEDALE, Ind. -- When the Parke Trails Alliance faced rising construction costs for its long-planned trail project through Rosedale, they had to think creatively. The solution? Repurpose a railroad car as a pedestrian bridge—an unconventional approach that saved tens of thousands of dollars while keeping the project moving forward.
The Original Plan: Replace the Road Bridge, Add a Pedestrian SpanInitially, the Parke Trails Alliance envisioned replacing an aging county road bridge with a wider bridge that included a lane for pedestrian use. Working collaboratively with the county, the idea was to share costs and align the road and trail improvements into one efficient project. The hope was that such a partnership would stretch funding further and serve both motorists and trail users. However, as time passed, that partnership became less feasible. “Their timeline didn’t line up with ours, and we couldn’t wait any longer,” Parke Trails Alliance Board Member Mark Davis said. The Cost Challenge: Inflation Hits Trail Budgets HardSince the original grant application was submitted for the Parke Community Rail Trail, costs have skyrocketed. Quotes for pre-fabricated pedestrian bridges came back between $52,000 and $55,000—a significant price increase over initial estimates. “We had to find another way. We were committed to completing this phase of the trail, but the cost of materials, labor, and infrastructure has jumped so much that we had to get creative,” Davis explained. That’s when the team discovered an alternative: rail car bridges. A Creative, Cost-Saving Solution: The Rail Car BridgeThe idea came from conversations with Jim Meece, Parke County Commissioner, and Randy Norman, Parke County’s former Highway Superintendent. Norman mentioned to Mark Davis that the county had used retired railroad cars as makeshift bridges on gravel roads in rural parts of the county. Railcars as bridges can be inexpensive, short term solutions for vehicle traffic. However, repurposed Railcar Bridges are perfect for pedestrian and bicycle traffic and provide a strong, simple, cost effective solution that will last a very long time. Rail car bridges are flatbed railcars repurposed as the bridge structure. Their steel construction is designed to handle thousands of tons of cargo in rail transit, so they are more than strong enough to support foot and bicycle traffic. “We reached out to our bridge engineer and had them analyze the structure. They went through it, measured everything, and confirmed it was a solid solution for this use. It’s a simple, one-piece structure, which also made installation easier,” Davis explained. Significant Savings: Over $30,000 SavedThe first rail car was purchased for just $12,500, compared to the $52,000-plus estimates for a standard pedestrian bridge. Even after accounting for the necessary modifications—such as fabricating brackets for railings, welding, grinding, painting, and pouring a concrete deck—the total cost still came in more than $30,000 under budget. “This is a huge win for the project. It allowed us to stay on track, quite literally, without having to cut corners on safety or quality,” Davis explained. Local Partnerships Power the ProjectThe project didn’t just save money—it also became a showcase of local collaboration.
Five Bridges, One VisionThis Rosedale bridge installation is the first of five rail car bridges planned for the Parke Community Rail Trail project. Each installation will use similar methods, combining cost efficiency with practical trail design to connect more parts of the community. “This project is about more than just building a trail. It’s about smart use of resources, local partnerships, and creating something that will benefit residents and visitors for generations,” Davis explained. As work continues on the remaining phases of the trail, the success of the rail car bridge sets the tone for future infrastructure solutions: creative, community-minded, and cost-effective.
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Phase 2 is under construction, bridges are prepped, and community support is growing
Parke County, Ind -- If you’ve driven near Rosedale or Jessup lately, you may have noticed some exciting changes: freshly cleared paths, construction equipment near fields and creeks, and even a few bright-orange safety vests moving around. That’s because the Parke Trails Alliance is hard at work on a long-awaited project—one that’s about to connect our communities in a whole new way. We’re building something special here. “This trail isn’t just for hikers or bikers. It’s for everyone—families, seniors, kids, and even out-of-town visitors. It’s going to connect people to nature and to each other,” said Parke Trails Alliance Board Member Mark Davis. Phase 2 Begins Construction The trail effort reached a major milestone: construction officially began on Phase 2, a 2.5-mile stretch of trail that will include a new trailhead and a restored piece of Parke County and Indiana history, the Whipple Truss bridge. The bridge, which has stood for over a century near Bridgeton, has been carefully removed, disassembled, and transported to Camden for full restoration. After its complete restoration, it was placed along the trail, spanning Little Raccoon Creek, as a scenic crossing point. “It’s kind of like giving the bridge a second life. It’ll be safer, stronger, and even more meaningful now that it’s part of something the whole community can use,” Davis explained. Local contractors Collom Excavating and S&G Excavating are leading the bridge and trail work, helping keep the project rooted in the community. Progress on Other Phases Meanwhile, work continues on other parts of the trail. Phase 1, which connects the Parke-Vigo County line to Big Raccoon Creek, is nearly complete. A repurposed railcar bridge has been prepped, painted, and installed. In Phase 3, tree clearing was conducted, and early survey and design work has begun for Phase 4, which will include a covered bridge crossing, a nod to Parke County’s rich heritage. Challenges and Community Commitment Like many projects across Indiana, this one hasn’t been immune to inflation. Since 2019 when the project was put together, the cost of materials like gravel, asphalt, concrete, and steel has more than doubled in some cases. Labor and engineering costs have also risen, pushing Parke Trails Alliance to get creative. To make the budget stretch, they’ve scaled back on asphalt, simplified plans for some trailheads, and increased reliance on volunteer support. They’re also working closely with landowners to adjust trail routes as needed. “We’ve had to make some tough calls. But every change we’ve made keeps the focus on our goal—getting more trail miles open for the public to enjoy,” Davis explained. Want to Help Build the Trail? Volunteer with Parke Trails Alliance! The trail is powered by people like you. Whether you’ve got tools in your garage or just an afternoon to spare, volunteers are always welcome for:
To get involved, email [email protected] or send a message on Facebook. |
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