TMS to THS Phase 5 Update

Phase 5 is well underway and will provide an important east-west connection for the Oxford Area Trail System.

This phase will connect the Talawanda High School to Talawanda Middle School. It will cross the railroad over a bridge south of Peffer Park, travel west, behind Gardenia Drive, across Kehr Rd, through Cobblestone Church property, and continue on behind Dana Dr and over a bridge connecting at Phase 4 just south of Dana Dr.  

The trail will also include a connection from west of Peffer Park up to Chestnut Street.  It will connect with the new Chestnut Fields RTA multi-modal facility, and the planned Amtrak rail platform from behind Gardenia Drive crossing a bridge at Collins Creek.  

Phase 5 route

The initial route for the Phase 5 trail plan was adopted in 2017.  With property owner input, adjustments were made and final construction design was completed in 2024.  

Construction began in 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in spring 2027. Construction includes almost 13,000 liner feet of trail and three steel bridges (including one major bridge spanning the CSX railroad) and is projected to take approximately two years to complete. 

A rendering of the major steel bridge spanning the CSX railroad ROW

Bids for the construction of Phase 5 were opened on May 23, 2025, and a construction contract was awarded to Brumbaugh Construction on June 3, 2025, total cost not to exceed $5,912,500. The City has won approximately $3M in grants including the Surface Transportation Block Grant through OKI Regional Council of Governments and a grant from Clean Ohio through ODNR and a state capital grant.  This segment is also made possible by grant from the Oxford Community Foundation and the DuBois Family Fund to support the facilitation the Phase 5 section of OATS.  

Aerial views of newly constructed sections of the Phase 5 trail

The trail will consist of two portions. The East/West portion will be approximately 9,018 feet or 1.71 miles and the North/South portion will be: 3,551 feet or 0.67 miles. The new trail heads are access points for residents in the area to gain access via walking or cycling.  There will not be new parking spots in the trailhead locations. However, there is preexisting parking available at the Cobblestone church trail head location. Trail access for this phase can also be made by Talawanda High School, Talawanda Middle School, and the Chestnut Street Station.