RAIL TRAIL PROJECT MOVING QUICKLY

by Steve Legge

Bikers, runners, walkers and the horse-riding community will be delighted to hear that the Rail Trail Project is proceeding at a rapid pace. The Nashua River Rail Trail begins in Ayer, and passes through Groton, Pepperell and Dunstable, ending at the New Hampshire border. Lisa Pelletier, Resident Engineer for Mass Highway on the project, explained in detail the construction startegy that involves moving from Ayer toward Dunstable, completing as much work as possible on a segment, while preparation begins on the following segments.

In keeping with this idea, the 1.8 mile segment from Ayer to Smith Street in Groton is almost finished. A parking area is being completed with plantings at Ayer center off Groton Street, and this trail segment has received its final paving top course. The parking area will also feature toilets and bike racks when completed.

The entire right-of-way to the New Hampshire border has now been cleared of trees and brush. The bike portion of the trail will consist of a 10-foot wide paved path for the full 11.3 mile length. Beginning in the center of Groton at Station Avenue, a five foot wide gravel equestrian trail will parallel the paved bike path north through Dunstable.

Work will concentrate in Groton during the summer. A fairly difficult stretch between Smith Street and Peabody Street is presently under preparation. Here, great amounts of standing and flowing water are an issue. Between two and three feet of sand and gravel are required here to raise the trail above the water. A .6 mile segment between Peabody Street and Broadmeadow Road has been paved with the first binder course. This section offers nice views of wetland flora and fauna on both sides of the trail.

Work to replace the Peabody Street underpass is scheduled to begin in late July or early August. The existing corrugated steel culvert will be replaced by a prefabricated concrete box culvert 20 feet wide and 10 feet high on the inside. Once started, construction should be completed in about a month. At Peabody Street, temporary water lines will have to be put into service during construction.

After the Peabody Street underpass is completed, work will commence on the same type of box culvert underpass for Pleasant Street. Meanwhile, work has been completed to strengthen and refinish the concrete abutments for the bridge at Rt. 119. Additional work is scheduled to start next week to clean and paint the bridge and install railings at the sides. Notices will be published in advance of work for residents and motorists affected by the construction activities at these major crossings.

The Mass Department of Environmental Protection owns the trail and the project. Mass Highway is responsible for overall direction, field testing and inspection. S&R Construction of Plaistow NH is the contractor responsible for construction. The project is scheduled to be finished in July of 2002. Work will continue into Novemeber of this year, weather permitting.

(submitted by Dann Chamberlin, Rails-to-Trails member since '88, & Groton selectman.)

<The Chamberlins [[email protected]]  7/21/01 2:25 AM>

• Contractor promises BOS no delay on next portion of Rail Trail (October 18, 2001 - Groton Landmark)

• BOS considers Rail Trail parking plans (October 04, 2001 - Groton Landmark

• Rail-Trail construction still on schedule (October 01, 2001 - Pepperelll Free Press)