WESTFIELD – The Conservation Commission approved a request by the city to initiate soil testing along a section of the Westfield River levee system with only one condition, that any excess soil be removed and that disturbed soil be loamed and seeded.
Jessica Roberts, of Tighe & Bond, said the purpose of the soil investigation is linked to construction of a multiuse trail along the Westfield River. The city is currently in the initial stage of engineering and design for that project.
That project, called the Riverwalk multiuse trail will intersect the city’s Columbia Greenway project right at the former railroad bridge over the Westfield River. The city is proposing to use the concrete footings, which once supported high-tension power line towers, as supports for an observation deck overlooking the river.
Tighe & Bond will conduct geotechnical borings and dig test pits in three locations between the west Great River Bridge and Sackett Street to determine if the structural pilings are sufficient to support the observation deck and to assess the structure of the existing retaining wall between the former railroad bridge and the Great River Bridge.
The proposed Riverwalk trail extends from Congress Street on the west end to the Williams Riding Way and Meadow Street on the east end.
The Columbia Greenway Railtrail project was divided into three phases because of the cost, and attraction, of constructing an elevated Railtrail. The total project includes replacement of six bridges and rehabilitation of three.
The bridges being rehabilitated are Tin Bridge, the Elm Street Railroad Bridge and the Westfield River Railroad Bridge, while new bridges will be erected over East Silver, Main, Thomas, Chapel and Orange streets.
The South Phase is extending the trail from the Southwick town line to East Silver Street. That phase of the rail trail is set to open this fall. It includes rehabilitation of Tin Bridge over the Little River and construction of a new bridge over South Meadow Road.
The North Phase, which includes rehabilitation of the Westfield River Railroad Bridge, will extend the Columbia Greenway from Orange Street, across the river to Women’s Temperance Park on the north side of the river.
The North Phase of the Columbia Greenway intersects with the proposed Riverwalk which is proposed for construction along the entire length of the Westfield River Levee. The observation deck is being proposed at that intersection of the trails and will link to the enhancements of the Great River Bridge project.
