Jewett to Hopedale Rails to Trails Feasibility Study
Villages of Jewett & Hopedale, OH
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Harrison County’s rural terrain, narrow stream valleys, limited roadway shoulders, and active rail infrastructure make walking and bicycling connections between Jewett and Hopedale challenging. While Jewett is already an established trail community at the end of the 11.4-mile Conotton Creek Trail, there is no clear, safe connection to Hopedale or the broader regional trail network. Harrison County engaged Neighborhood Strategies to evaluate how a future trail could close this gap, expand recreation access, and advance the long-term vision for the Great American Rail-Trail.
2026
Location
Harrison County, OH
Expertise
Active Transportation Planning
Trail Feasibility Analysis
Alternative Route Evaluation
GIS Mapping & Analysis
Infrastructure Analysis
Implementation Strategy
Finding the Best Route Forward
Our team identified and evaluated three preliminary alignments: a rail-corridor route, a public-road route, and a hybrid rail-road route. Using a 22-criterion evaluation framework, the team compared connectivity, user experience, safety, environmental and community effects, implementation, and long-term maintenance. The rail-corridor alternative emerged as the preferred long-term route, with the hybrid option retained as a strong alternative if rail ownership, operations, or other constraints limit implementation.
Balancing Access, Safety & Feasibility
The study combined mapping, field review, and corridor analysis to assess active and inactive rail lines, traffic volumes, flood-prone areas, road conditions, and connections to regional trail initiatives. The resulting roadmap identifies the next steps needed to refine the preferred alignment, including title and right-of-way research, railroad coordination, environmental and engineering screening, historic-resource review, and early property-owner engagement. Together, these actions will help the County refine the preferred route, pursue future funding, and advance a trail connection that links communities while honoring the area’s transportation heritage and natural landscape.