A rail study is underway to explore re-routing Ada's through-town railroad tracks to bypass the village.

If successful, the current railroad tracks that pass through Ada would be removed and replaced with two possible alternatives. A spur would still connect the elevator on the west side of Ada to the mainline, but it would not cross Main Street.

Southern alternative – this plan would create a new rail route (bypass) from the west at approximately Township Road 25. It could loop as far south as State Route 309 and then reconnect with the line on the east side of Ada near Township Road 65.

Northern alternative – this plan would create a new rail route (bypass) from the west also near TR 25. It could loop as far north as U.S. 30 and then reconnect with the line on the east side of Ada near TR 65.

State Route 235 would have a highway overpass constructed over the rail bypass on the northern route. On the southern route, the highway would go under the railroad.

Both alternative routes have advantages and disadvantages. Person interested in more information about the plan are invited to a meeting at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, April 1, in one of the shelter houses in the Ada village park.

(And you thought there wouldn't be an April Fool's story on the Icon.)