Once upon a time, a railroad hauled passengers and freight just north of the National Quarry.

The railroad, now abandoned, has a second life – this time as a walking path and bike path.

MORE PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF STORY.

Groundbreaking occurred July 14, for the .6-mile, 8-foot wide asphalt pathway along the abandoned Akron, Canton and Youngstown Railroad, that will link the heart of the village to the high-traffic business district near the I-75 interchange.

Cost of the project is $123,200 contributed by over 30 individuals, businesses, corporations and the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.

The largest donation is a one-year matching grant totaling $61,600 from the Findlay-Hancock County Community.

At the groundbreaking, Dick Ramseyer, president of the Bluffton Lions Foundation and chair of the Bluffton Pathway Board, said, “The primary goal of this project is to enhance public safety and recreation by extending the Bluffton pathway system from its current eastern terminus along a scenic abandoned railroad spur to Bluffton’s Commerce Lane business district located in Hancock County and near the I-75 interchange.”

In addition to the immediate benefits for public safety, appearance and quality of life, the project will benefit residents of the Bluffton-Findlay-Hancock County area by adding to the destinations and opportunities for recreational biking.

The Bluffton pathways master plan, that was formalized in 2009 when the Lions Foundation partnered with the Village of Bluffton through the Bluffton Pathway Board, identified two top priority projects due to the potential to greatly improve public safety on heavily trafficked routes that lack sidewalks:
• a west side connection along Augsburger Road to growing residential areas and retirement communities, and
• an east side connection that would link Main Street, the village park and the Commerce Lane business district near the I-75 exchange.

The Village of Bluffton’s Pathway Board has already secured a $260,000 commitment from the Ohio Transportation (ODOT) for the west side connection along Augsburger Road which covers 80% of the projected construction cost plus a 20% local match commitment from the Bluffton Lions Foundation. The project is scheduled by the ODOT for construction to begin as early as July 2016.

Expected to be completed this fall, the bike and pedestrian pathway will provide a safe, scenic and appealing route for residents and visitors and greatly enhance the quality of the greater Bluffton area located in Hancock County.

This area includes a variety of retail and hospitality businesses whose customers and employees will benefit from the addition of safe and appealing bike and pedestrian access.