Jackson and Martin County Rail to Trail Action Plan
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The City of Alpha has received a grant from MnDOT to create a Rail-to-Trail Transportation Action Plan in collaboration with the City of Jackson, the City of Sherburn, the City of Welcome, the City of Fairmont, Jackson County and Martin County, focused on transforming the existing railroad corridor into a walking, biking, and rolling trail that connects the two counties. A future trail may also be useable for year-round recreation, including snowmobiling, ATV use, horseback riding, etc.
The corridor is part of the former Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad (DM&E), now under the parent company Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), with many sections experiencing limited use or partial abandonment. The Action Plan will identify short-, mid-, and long-term recommendations and outline specific implementation steps to advance the project. The City of Alpha will also receive additional technical assistance in spring 2027 to begin implementing priority elements of the plan.
Funding for any future trail improvements has not been identified and is not being determined as part of this planning effort. The Action Plan is intended to explore possibilities and establish a long-term vision. If this rail-to-trail corridor is pursued, project partners would evaluate a variety of potential funding sources, which would include regional, state, and federal grants, and private funding opportunities to minimize the cost to local budgets and taxpayers.
This project is led by a local planning team that includes people from:
Alpha City Staff
Sherburn City Staff
Fairmont City Staff
Welcome City Staff
Faribault and Martin County Human Services
SW Regional Development Commission
Region Nine Development Commission
Des Moines Valley HHS
Friends of Jackson County Trails
MnDOT District 7
Jackson County Central School Dist.
Jackson County Parks and Trails Dept.
HHS SHIP Team
This Rail-to-Trail Transportation Action Plan is funded through MnDOT’s Active Transportation Program. To create a Rail-to-Trail Plan that reflects the needs of Jackson and Martin Counties, we want to understand how you travel today and how this corridor could better support safe and accessible walking, biking, and rolling in the future. Your input will help shape how the former railroad can become a connected, enjoyable route linking Alpha with surrounding communities now and over time.
The City of Alpha has received a grant from MnDOT to create a Rail-to-Trail Transportation Action Plan in collaboration with the City of Jackson, the City of Sherburn, the City of Welcome, the City of Fairmont, Jackson County and Martin County, focused on transforming the existing railroad corridor into a walking, biking, and rolling trail that connects the two counties. A future trail may also be useable for year-round recreation, including snowmobiling, ATV use, horseback riding, etc.
The corridor is part of the former Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad (DM&E), now under the parent company Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), with many sections experiencing limited use or partial abandonment. The Action Plan will identify short-, mid-, and long-term recommendations and outline specific implementation steps to advance the project. The City of Alpha will also receive additional technical assistance in spring 2027 to begin implementing priority elements of the plan.
Funding for any future trail improvements has not been identified and is not being determined as part of this planning effort. The Action Plan is intended to explore possibilities and establish a long-term vision. If this rail-to-trail corridor is pursued, project partners would evaluate a variety of potential funding sources, which would include regional, state, and federal grants, and private funding opportunities to minimize the cost to local budgets and taxpayers.
This project is led by a local planning team that includes people from:
Alpha City Staff
Sherburn City Staff
Fairmont City Staff
Welcome City Staff
Faribault and Martin County Human Services
SW Regional Development Commission
Region Nine Development Commission
Des Moines Valley HHS
Friends of Jackson County Trails
MnDOT District 7
Jackson County Central School Dist.
Jackson County Parks and Trails Dept.
HHS SHIP Team
This Rail-to-Trail Transportation Action Plan is funded through MnDOT’s Active Transportation Program. To create a Rail-to-Trail Plan that reflects the needs of Jackson and Martin Counties, we want to understand how you travel today and how this corridor could better support safe and accessible walking, biking, and rolling in the future. Your input will help shape how the former railroad can become a connected, enjoyable route linking Alpha with surrounding communities now and over time.
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The local planning team has drafted a vision and set of goals to guide the Transportation Action Plans:
Working Vision:
A path for walking, biking, rolling, and other active transportation modes connects Jackson and Martin Counties and allows people to travel to, visit, and enjoy each community.
Working Goals:
Develop a safe and connected regional Rail-to-Trail network. Prioritize the development of a continuous multi-use trail utilizing the former railroad corridor to connect Alpha with Jackson as the first phase, while planning for future extensions east to Sherburn, Welcome, and Fairmont to create a cohesive regional system.
Improve safety, accessibility, and infrastructure for all users. Identify infrastructure and design improvements that create a safe, comfortable, and accessible trail environment for people of all ages and abilities, addressing current gaps and unsafe conditions while supporting walking, biking, and rolling.
Advance equity and expand transportation and recreation options. Ensure the Rail-to-Trail corridor improves access to transportation, recreation, and health opportunities for priority populations, including older adults, youth, and residents without reliable vehicle access, through inclusive planning and equitable design.
Create economic vitality through active transportation connection. Identify ways to connect trail users to businesses as commuters and customers. Add the trail to Minnesota’s network of regional trails to attract bike tourism to Jackson and Martin County communities.
Create an actionable, implementable plan with strong partnerships. Establish clear short-, mid-, and long-term action steps, cost considerations, and partnership strategies to guide implementation and position the project for future funding, technical assistance, and phased development.
The local planning team has drafted a vision and set of goals to guide the Transportation Action Plans:
Working Vision:
A path for walking, biking, rolling, and other active transportation modes connects Jackson and Martin Counties and allows people to travel to, visit, and enjoy each community.
Working Goals:
Develop a safe and connected regional Rail-to-Trail network. Prioritize the development of a continuous multi-use trail utilizing the former railroad corridor to connect Alpha with Jackson as the first phase, while planning for future extensions east to Sherburn, Welcome, and Fairmont to create a cohesive regional system.
Improve safety, accessibility, and infrastructure for all users. Identify infrastructure and design improvements that create a safe, comfortable, and accessible trail environment for people of all ages and abilities, addressing current gaps and unsafe conditions while supporting walking, biking, and rolling.
Advance equity and expand transportation and recreation options. Ensure the Rail-to-Trail corridor improves access to transportation, recreation, and health opportunities for priority populations, including older adults, youth, and residents without reliable vehicle access, through inclusive planning and equitable design.
Create economic vitality through active transportation connection. Identify ways to connect trail users to businesses as commuters and customers. Add the trail to Minnesota’s network of regional trails to attract bike tourism to Jackson and Martin County communities.
Create an actionable, implementable plan with strong partnerships. Establish clear short-, mid-, and long-term action steps, cost considerations, and partnership strategies to guide implementation and position the project for future funding, technical assistance, and phased development.
Page last updated: 08 Aug 2026, 01:58 PM
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