News
Update on Coleman Road Section of Manhan Rail Trail
Plans for the southern addition to the Manhan Rail Trail (from South Street to Coleman Road) are moving forward. The Southampton Conservation Commission issed an “Order of Conditions” on Feb. 8, 2010, for the short section of trail that lies in Southampton.
The next hurtle will be the asbestos clean-up, which, according to the EPA, is expected to be conducted by WR Grace and Olden Properties in April or May.
Design work continues by Tighe and Bond, which reports that comments from MassDOT (formerly Mass Highway) on the 75% design have been reviewed. Tracy Adamski, the project manager at Tighe and Bond, says the engineering firm is awaiting completion of the Right-of-Way (ROW) survey to incorporate into the plans.
They are also coordinating with the City of Easthampton and the Tennessee Gas Company to determine the actual depth of the gas line where it crosses the proposed sewer line. (a new sewer line is being laid alongside the trail and is part of the design and construction project.)
Once the ROW plans have been received and issues related to the gas line are resolved, T&B will finalize the 100% design. This will be submitted to MassDOT for further comment.
The goal is to bid the project within the current fiscal year of the Federal Highway Administration which ends September 30. MassDOT has tentatively scheduled the Design Public Hearing for March 24, 2010 at 7:00 PM at White Brook Middle School in Easthampton.
Rail Trail “Sinkhole” repair is complete!
In just over one year’s time, the house-sized gaping hole in the rail trail just south of the Route 5 trailhead has been repaired and the trail is now open.
A washed out culvert, which caused the hole to form, was replaced and 250 truck loads of fill were brought in and compacted. The final work involved paving the bike path and replacing the broken fences.
A broken sewer line below the enbankment was fixed by the Easthampton Department of Public Works shortly after the initial washout.
The sinkhole repair was done by Gomes Construction for about $220,000, an amount paid for by the city with a low-interest loan (2%) from the state. The loan will be paid over a period of 20 years. The Friends of the Manhan Rail Trail contributed approximately $12,000 for the paving and fencing.
City Council has recommended that all other culverts along the rail trail be inspected regularly to prevent a similar washout elsewhere.
Rail Trail Link to Northampton Under Construction
Construction on the Manhan Rail Trail link between Easthampton and Northampton is underway (fall 2009). According to Northampton City Planner, Wayne Feiden, the project began with the baseline being surveyed and trees and brush removed. The contractor also worked on the waterline relocation necessary to allow construction to begin on the abutments for the bridge over Route 10.
As of late November several sections of the connector had been paved.
One of the newly paved sections of the Easthampton-Northampton connector in a photo taken in late November 2009 (courtesy Peter Brooks)
Wayne says he is hopeful that work done on the abutments this fall will allow the contractor to do much of the bridge installation during the winter. If that happens, the project will largely be complete by the end of 2010.
The $4.6 million project is being funded primarily through federal stimulus money. Five construction bids were submitted and opened August 25. Mass Highway awarded the contract and preliminary work began in October.
This link will connect the extension of the bike path in Northampton which ends at Earle Street near the Smith College Equestrian Center, and Easthampton’s Manhan Rail Trail at the intersection of Ferry Street and Pleasant Street.
The design for the trail’s Manhan Bridge, adjacent to Lovefield Street, which is not part of the Manhan Rail Trail contract, is also underway. It was hoped that this bridge project could be advertised in early March for 2010-2011 construction, but design delays may change that schedule.
Connecting the two cities by a rail trail was identified as a top priority in the recently completed Easthampton Master Plan.
Community Rallies to Raise Funds for Repairs
The Friends of the Manhan Rail Trail would like to extend sincere thanks to the many individuals, organizations and businesses who have helped to raise money for the repair of the trail at the site of the washed out culvert near the Oxbow. While the sinkhole itself is being paid for by municipal funds, the Friends agreed to raise the estimated $15,000 needed to rebuild the trail including pavement and fencing.
Manhan Rail Trail volunteers sell merchandise at Derrill's Race to raise money for repairs at the sinkhole site near the Oxbow.
We would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Shelley Wilton and the Derrill’s Race Committee. The trail fund was the major recipient of the proceeds from this year’s race.
A big thank you also to Casey Douglas from the Apollo Grill for the fantastically successful fundraising breakfast during Bike Commute Week.
We also thank Clay Crow for donating his T-shirt design and Mantis Graphics for their discounted shirts.
Thank you to Alexei Levine from the Message School in Easthampton for donating a day’s worth of revenue.
Our thanks to Ginni Hurteau for offering 40% of the proceeds from Avon sales and thanks to Randy Counsman who donated his famous sinkhole photo and banner.
We also thank the students at Center Elementary School (see story and photo below) for their bottle and can collection.
If you would like to help out, we still have our special edition Manhan Rail Trail-label candles from Yankee Candle and “Sink Hole” long-sleeve T-shirts and tote bags on sale at the City Clerk’s office (50 Payson Ave.) We thank you all for your continued support!
Merchandise NOW ON SALE includes tote bags $5, special edition Yankee Candles $15, and long-sleeved tee-shirts $10
Rail Trail Committee Thanks First Grade Class
The Manhan Rail Trail Committee said “thank you” to the children of Mrs. Pouliot’s 1st Grade Class at Center Elementary School recently. The students were given a Certificate of Recognition May 5 in appreciation of their work to raise money to repair a section of the trail that was washed out by a giant sink hole last fall.
The youngsters held a bottle and can drive to raise $70 for the Bike Path Fund. Mrs. Pouliot said the project helped her students understand the importance of raising funds for a worthy cause and giving back to their community.
Manhan Rail Trail Committee member Jon Callahan made the presentation to the class, using a large banner that included a photo of the sinkhole and washed out trail. Each student was given a Manhan Rail Trail sticker and a copy of the trail map.
Mrs. Pouliot and her assistant Ms. Glabach were each given a Certificate of Appreciation for their help as well.
The teachers say that the bottle and can drive grew into a competition for all grades at the school to see who could collect the most cans for this cause. The winning class received a free recess at the end of the year. Thank you and congratulations to the students at Center School!
Students in Mrs. Pouliot's 1st Grade Class at Center Elementary School receive a certificate of thanks from the Manhan Rail Trail Committee
Click slides to enlarge.