b'VAST NewsTHE LVRT: DONT DESPAIR, WERE GETTING THERE!By Ken Brown, VAST Trails Manager &Other progress has begun inand summer users who can navigate LVRT Project Manager Hardwick. Local fundraising hasrougher terrain/loose ballast to safely Despite challenges securing theenabled us to match a federal granttravel the rail trail from Hardwick to millions of dollars needed to completefrom the Northern Border RegionalEast Hardwick until we can get the the entire LVRT, there has been someCommission, which will be used tofunding to make the surface more encouraging progress this year. install new decks on two bridgesaccessible to all. We hope to have Thanks to money from theover the Lamoille River. The bridgesthe bridge work out for bid by mid-transportation bill last year, VASTwont be on a completed trail section,summer, so, possibly, we would be snowmobile trail funding, and abut with a few other small repairsable to complete the work this fall.generous anonymous donation, weto the trail, will enable snowmobiles were able to complete a sub-section of Phase 1C in Sheldon. That 1.5 mile trail link between Bridge Street in Sheldon and the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail is now open and ready for use. It is very scenic; crossing Bridge 93 over the Missisquoi River and following along the Black Creek to within earshot of the waterfalls under Bridge Street. Its exciting to be involved in a little bit of Vermonts rail history. The first trains travelled the Lamoille Valley Railroad in the 1870s. In 1903, the Sheldon bridge (which had been a covered bridge) burned down and was replaced by a steel truss that was usedBridge 93 before (above) and after (below) redecking and structural improvements. until trains stopped running in the 1990s. For 25 years, the bridge with, its railroad ties rotting, remained unused (except by a pair of osprey who return every spring and many swallows and other birds who make their nests below). Were happy to give this bridge new life with a wooden deck suitable for summer and winter recreation. The history of the bridge will live on also in the mile-marker signs along the LVRT, which will be made from pieces of the rails salvaged from the bridge this year and currently stockpiled at the intersection of the LVRT and MVRT.A fire destroyed the Sheldon covered bridge (now known as Bridge 93) in 1903. It was subsequently replaced by a steel truss. (Photo courtesy Sheldon Historical Society)14 | Snowmobile VERMONT'