I have an idea of creating bicycling and walking trails mostly located within the right of ways of pipelines
that travel throughout the US. Utility companies have installed many pipelines
across the US that are maintained as tree free right of ways of various widths.
Some are gas pipelines, some are for telecommunications, or a combination of
various uses.
These treeless landscapes are
ideal for using as transport venues. All it takes is just adding an asphalt or
gravel pathway and that is it.
Of course, there are issues to deal with. Deals
would have to be made with all of the utility companies. It would have to be
determined if each right of way is safe to have pedestrians. The pipelines do
cross highways and roads, so ways around these obstructions will have to be found.
And, these projects would need to be funded and maintained by someone. Otherwise
utility pipelines are a great resource that could be used for creating a
national trail system.
If this idea is put into practice somewhere, please feel free to give me credit for the idea. Thank you!
