WESTFIELD – The Friends of the Columbia Rail Trail met Tuesday evening at the Westfield Athenaeum Library with city officials, bicycle enthusiasts and others to discuss the Rail Trail’s latest developments.
Rendering of potential Main St. bridge on the Columbia Rail Trail.
City engineer Mark Cressotti, who designed the 3.2 mile project from the Southwick town line north to the Westfield River, talked to those in attendance about the future plans and current status of construction efforts. Cressotti announced that construction will continue beyond 2019 with the esplanade projected to be finished by the end of 2016.
Cressotti said that the newest project details are being heavily funded by the Mass. Department of Transportation (DOT). Prior to this point, Cressotti said, the construction was mostly funded by municipal and fundraising efforts.
“The Mass. DOT said that funding will be available by the end of the fiscal year 2019,” Cressotti said. “And we are looking to begin construction in the spring of 2020.”
The new plans call for the trail to extend through the center of the city to the Westfield River from its current ending on Main Street. It will also include adding several access points along the path so trail-goers will have access to local shops and residential areas, which developers hope will boost the city’s economy and reduce citizens’ reliance on motor vehicles.
Additionally, the construction will focus on the six bridges along the trail within the center city section that need to be modified in order to meet public safety and Mass. DOT standards. The six bridges are part of 10 total that need modification. The Westfield River bridge, which is one of the six bridges needing modification, is tentatively planned to begin construction this year.
The completed bridges are the Tin, South Meadow and East Silver St. bridges.
Also, Cressotti said that the esplanade, which is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2016, will be two blocks long and will run parallel to the Westfield River. The project is not currently connected to the Columbia Rail Trail, but will be by construction’s end.
The esplanade will have lighted areas in order to allow night time access, and Cressotti suggested that it may be able to be used for a future Westfield “First Night” celebration, as well as for the display of fireworks. Cressotti said that the site also overlooks several waterfalls, and is coinciding with an urban renewal plan that is happening in the same neighborhood.
