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MassHighway slates hearing on Bikeway expansion |
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Saturday, 19 January 2008 |
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By SANDY McGEE UXBRIDGE — Residents of Millville and Uxbridge may wish to attend a public hearing next Monday to hear about how a regional bikeway project is expected to change the landscape of some local neighborhoods.
MassHighway will hold a public hearing to offer residents the chance to discuss Segment 2 of the Massachusetts portion of the Blackstone River Bikeway project on Monday, Jan. 28, at 6:30 p.m. at Uxbridge Town Hall, 21 South Main St.
Segment 2 is a portion of the 28-mile Massachusetts bikeway project that is expected to provide a span between the city of Worcester and the town of Blackstone at the Rhode Island state line.
This portion of the Blackstone River Bikeway project proposes the construction of a 3.86-mile long and 10 foot wide paved bike path and two new bridges in Millville and Uxbridge.
The bike path will begin at Route 122 in Uxbridge, adjacent to the Blackstone River Bridge, and continue south along the Blackstone River, connecting to River Road and Balm of Life Spring Road.
The span will then travel in a southerly direction along the edge of Route 146A. The span will continue along the alignment of the Southern New England Trunk Trail (SNETT) before concluding at Central Street in Millville.
SNETT, which is owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, is a 22-mile long undeveloped recreational trail that passes through six communities, including Douglas, Uxbridge, Millville, Blackstone, Bellingham and Franklin.
The scope of work for Segment 2 includes the design of an off-road, 10-foot wide, paved multi-purpose bicycle path for approximately three miles of the 3.81-mile project length. In addition to the off-road sections, part of its length will follow existing roadway alignments.
Sections of River Road and Balm of Life Spring Road will be reconstructed to allow bicyclists to share the road in a safe manner with motorists, according to MassHighway.
Other off-road improvements will include the construction of two new bridges spanning Ironstone Brook and Emerson Brook, the installation of drainage culverts and wetland replication areas as needed.
Existing roadway improvements will include widening and resurfacing the roadways to accommodate bicyclists, improving drainage issues and providing appropriate new signs.
Traffic lanes may be closed as a result of construction during the project, according to MassHighway.
The purpose of this hearing is to provide the public with the opportunity to discuss and receive information about the proposed Blackstone River Bikeway Segment 2 project, according to officials.
All views and comments made at the hearing will be reviewed and considered by the project’s officials. The hearing is open to the public.
According to a statement from MassHighway, the project requires a secure right-of-way, which must be acquired by the state.
Land acquisitions from area homeowners may be required for the project. Policies concerning land acquisitions will be discussed at this hearing.
MassHighway officials will also display plans of the project a half-hour before the hearing. An engineer will also be available at the event to answer questions.
The project is expected to be state and federally funded. At this time, the preliminary federal construction cost estimate is $8,484,640, which is based on 25 percent of the design.
Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2012. The project is to be substantially complete within two years.
The state of Rhode Island is also working to complete its bikeway portion, which is expected to span from the Massachusetts state line to Providence. The Rhode Island portion currently extends to the Woonsocket wastewater treatment plant on Manville Hill Road.
Upon completion, the Blackstone River Bikeway is expected to link the cities of Worcester and Providence through a 48-mile long bike path.
Officials hope the Blackstone River Bikeway will provide access to many of the various town business districts, recreational, cultural and historical areas within the Blackstone River Valley.
According to officials, the bike path project will result in a mostly off-road alternative transportation facility passing through the historic John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The Blackstone Valley Bike path will serve as an alternate mode of transportation for commuters, as well as a multi-use recreational facility.
For more information about the Massachusetts portion of the Blackstone River Bikeway, visit the MassHighway Web site at www.mass.gov/mhd.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 22 January 2008 )
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