Work soon beginning on Trestle Trail

LOCKEPORT, N.S. —
Repairs and improvements will soon be starting on Lockeport’s Trestle Trail to bring it back to useable condition. 
Closed more than a year ago, the town received a $50,000 grant from the provincial Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage towards the project earlier this year, which is estimated to cost $150,000. 
While town council is prepared to use some of the town’s reserves to complete the project, a fundraising campaign is underway that is generating support. 
Built on the old railbed, the Trestle Trail is not only a walking trail, it’s the town’s only emergency access route. The trail was closed because sea level rises and storm surges was undermining the rail bed, creating sinkholes.
The community is being invited to pitch in by sponsoring a foot of trail at $20 a foot. Individuals or groups can sponsor as many feet as they like, and anyone sponsoring five or more feet will be eligible to receive a Lockport Active Transportation T-shirt.  All donations are income tax deductible.
“It’s a positive thing when community values something and wants to support it,” said Mayor George Harding. The fundraiser “seems to be going reasonably well for the few days it been out there,” he said. “Shelburne Woodworkers pledged $1,000 and we’ve had smaller donations. Every dollar counts and help to alleviate the tax dollars that will have to be used.”
Community co-ordinator Frances Scott said Shelburne Woodworkers are challenging other local businesses to step up with contributions to the project. 
“Another encouraging note is there is already talk amongst local community groups to carry out their own fundraising initiatives to add to the fund," said Scott. "Right now, there are plans to hold a chip Bingo for prizes in the Lockeport Recreation Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 30 starting at 6:30 p.m.”
Harding said the engineering firm is in place that will oversee the project, tenders will soon be posted and work is expected to start in late October. 
“Our deadline for wanting it completed is within first three weeks of December,” said Harding. “Everything is moving ahead as far as scheduling goes and hopefully within the next few weeks, we will know who the contractors are going to be to bring in the armour stone and work will start happening.”
The project, for the most part, will include placing armour stone and a special fabric required by the Department of the Environment along the trail bed to shore it up. The two trestle bridges also need minor repairs to continue supporting pedestrian only traffic.
Anyone wanting to contribute to the fundraising campaign can contact the Lockeport Recreation Department at 902-656-2565, 902-875-6070, or  [email protected]