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DUNN — Old, abandoned railroad tracks run through many areas, but one Harnett County city is forging a new future for its outdated train tracks.
County Manager Neil Emory saysDunnhas been looking for a way to maintain the area around the tracks ever since the now-closed Swift Denim Mill switched its energy source from coal to oil, and the train between Dunn and Erwin stopped running.
With the help ofNorth Carolina Rail-Trails, a 5.3 mile trail for walkers and bikers is now steaming ahead.
Volunteers dug up the spikes, and on Thursday, a roadcrusher turned the ballast into a foundation for the trail. This project is the first time the Canadian crushing machine has been used in the Southeast.
Organizers sold the ties and tracks. The money from the salvage is helping pay for the rail trail, which is scheduled to open in March.
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