Bike path project receives go ahead from MassHighway

Date: 11/24/2008

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW For 15 years, the Bike Path proposed for the old railroad bed between Denslow Road and Maple Street has been just a thought in the back of residents' minds. The spring of 2009, however, will see construction finally begin on the project.

The plans, specifications and cost estimate were received for final review on Sept. 22, and Sean Kelley, Senior Project Manager for East Longmeadow's Department of Public Works, said the plans have been approved.

The proposed project consists of the construction of a 1.4-mile multi-use trail, ranging in width from 10 to 12 feet. The bike path project will also include the construction of parking, picnic and rest areas and the installation of wood safety railing, safety signing and pavement markings, according to the Massachusetts Highway Department.

The projected cost is $1.3 million.

Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA) funds will be used to offset the cost of the project, and Kelley said the majority of the funding would come from the Federal Highway Administration.

"We're shooting to go out to bid [for contractors] in early December," Kelley told Reminder Publications. "Construction will start in the spring and under ideal circumstances, you could be riding on the path in the fall [of 2009]."

Kelley wanted to assure residents that the bike path project "is not dead."

"It's just been taking a lot of review," he said. "The amount of detail is tremendous."

All the utility work that will lie beneath the bike path -- jet fuel and sewer pipes and fiber optic cables -- is complete.

To learn more about the bike path project, log on to www.mhd.state.ma.us and search for East Longmeadow projects.