For close to twenty years, residents of Westfield have been working hard to promote the idea a bike-friendly city. At the center of this vision is the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail. The long-term goal is the establishment of an interstate expressway for cyclists free of hazards and full of cool things to see and do.
It was decided long ago that a portion of the state and federal money dedicated for Westfield’s portion of the bike trail should go toward rehabilitating the rusted steel truss bridges over North Elm Street and the Westfield River for use by cyclists. I applaud this ambitious, forward-thinking idea.
I think using federal and state money to transform useless and hazardous eyesores into productive modes of transportation for citizens near and far is a phenomenal idea and I’m eager to see its completion. All the evidence from similar projects around the country suggest that Westfield will benefit economically and socially and is a worthwhile investment.
Eventually, as long as we have people ready to fight for the vision, we will continue our rail trail northward from the Westfield River and connect it with Northampton.
Progress, optimism and the willingness to change has been a critical ingredient in the recipe to this country’s success. I encourage my fellow residents to not be afraid to embrace change and invest in our infrastructure. I’m confident that the can-do attitude that worked for our society in the past will continue to help us build toward a better, happier future.
Steve Dondley,
City Councilor, At-Large
