Aerial Survey Planned As Adirondack Rail Trail Progresses

TUPPER LAKE, N.Y. (AP) — A helicopter will be flying low over train tracks between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake as plans to convert the rails to a 34-mile multi-use trail move forward.

The Department of Environmental Conservation says Tuesday's flight will videotape the corridor and its historic features prior to removing the rails and ties. The DEC says more survey flights using a light detection system known as LIDAR will follow after all the leaves have fallen.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the final plan for use of the 119-mile travel corridor from Utica (YOO'-tih-kuh) to Lake Placid in May. The state will spend $15 million to upgrade tracks between Big Moose and Tupper Lake, and $8 million to build a trail from there to Lake Placid.

Rail removal and trail construction are planned in 2017.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]