Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert is excited to announce a final step toward completing the Tammany Trace into Heritage Park. 

Progress on connecting the Tammany Trace to Heritage Park had previously been delayed due to a notice of abandonment to the City of Slidell. The proposed action by Norfolk Southern Railway Company to abandon its railroad lines (from Milepost NN 35.31+/- to Milepost NN 36.66+/- and from Milepost 35.25 NA+/- to Milepost 38.00 NA+/-) is fully consistent with existing land use and infrastructure plans of the city. Mayor Borchert confirmed that these plans are included in the Slidell 2040 Comprehensive Plan (completed in 2022) and the Bicycle Master Plan (amended in 2023).

The abandonment fully encompasses what the City of Slidell has designated as the Tammany Trace Extension; this portion of the Tammany Trace is a critical link in the city’s planned bicycle network, as detailed in the Bicycle Master Plan. The extension provides the necessary connective link to the rest of St. Tammany Parish, Slidell’s Heritage Park along Bayou Bonfouca, and future access routes for cyclists across Slidell.

As detailed in the Slidell 2040 Comprehensive Plan, this action would directly support multiple Transportation Goals for the City of Slidell, including:

• Goal T-1 – Improve walk-ability and bike-ability on major arterials through coordination with Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) and th New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (NORPC).
• Goal T-3 – Ensure streets in Slidell are planned, designed, and operated for the safety and mobility of all users, including motorists, transit riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
• Goal T-4 – Enhance access from residences to parks, schools, and nearby commercial areas via an expanded sidewalk network and bikeways.
• Goal T-5 – Plan and implement a connected network of bicycle and walking facilities using the city’s parks, green spaces, bayous, and trails.

This action helps fulfill the City’s Land Use Goal (LU-7) of facilitating development patterns that enable residents to walk and bike to schools, shops, and workplaces. The City’s Economic Development Goal ED-2 would also be supported, to help increase day trip and overnight tourism opportunities by promoting outdoor recreation, eco-tourism, and Slidell’s historic Olde Towne district.

The extension further supports the city’s Public Health and Safety Goals of providing opportunities for healthy living in neighborhoods by providing environments for physical activity and access to healthy foods (Goal PS-4), and promoting Slidell as a safe community with ample opportunities for a healthy, active lifestyle (Goal PS-5).

“We are looking forward to working with Norfolk Southern to complete this action, which will connect the existing 31 miles of the Tammany Trace, currently ending at Camp Salmen, to Heritage Park. This extension will expand recreational opportunities for our residents, businesses, and visitors,” said Mayor Borchert. 

In addition, funding from a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant is planned to fund the design of the trailhead along Bayou Lane.

For more information about City of Slidell news and events, visit the city’s website at MySlidell.com and follow the “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook and Instagram.