Scenic Rail Project Delays Adams Bike Trail Extension
 The planned extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail from Hoosac to Lime Street is being delayed to coincide with the development of scenic rail. |
ADAMS, Mass. — The extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail from Hoosac Street to Lime Street has been delayed as the state re-engineers the project to incorporate the scenic train rides.
But, if a delayed bike trail is what town officials need to trade in order to bring in the scenic train rides, it's a price they'll gladly accept.
"That was going to be under construction fully now. This project does hold it up and we knew that going in. But our hope was that we could complete construction of the rail trail in 2013 and at this point in time, we are being told it may go into 2014," Town Administrator Jonathan Butler said on Thursday. "If we have to wait until 2014 for both of these to be open, we're still happy that we are getting both of these accomplished."
The $3.1 million trail extension had gone to bid with federal and state dollars. A low bidder was identified and construction was expected to begin. But then the Berkshire Scenic Railway agreement came to fruition and the scenic train rides were announced in January.
Since then, the state Department of Transportation has been redesigning six-tenths of a mile in Adams for shared use of the rail line and the changes to the originally designed bike trail was significant enough to delay its construction. The rail line is still scheduled for 2014 and the current design of both together is now passing the 25 percent stage.
"While we want to see that bike trail piece done as soon as possible, the fact that it has been potentially delayed a season, we think the trade off there is more than fair," Butler said.
According to Director of Community Development Donna Cesan, the rail trail money is still secured, the easements with property owners does not start until construction does and MassDOT is dedicated to the project. So, it isn't a question of if the two parts are completed, just when construction will begin.
The scenic rail line piece was not expected to have trains operating until spring 2014 and Butler says that is still the plan. The project will likely go back out to bid this summer as one large project instead of two separate ones, Cesan said.
"We're assuming they are going to be bidding this all as one complete project," Cesan said.
Already this season, residents have noticed that construction has not started and rumors have been flying about the state "pulling the plug." But Butler says that is simply not true.
"Our hope is that there are shovels in the ground in 2013. That's not just a hope, that is an expectation," Butler said. "Everything is still in place."
So much so that town officials are now working on developing the next stage. Butler says the Community Development Department is working on ways to create a southern stop that will be more than just the Visitors Center, is looking to hire a tourism director and meeting with businesses to get them prepared for the thousands of tourist expected to be flocking downtown.
"This is a big deal for downtown Adams. We haven't had a new attraction that brings in thousands of people in ages. Our businesses need to be prepared for how to capitalize on that," Butler said.
The town is "brainstorming" places where the town can increase parking, provide other attractions on the line and build a southern presence.
"We also want to focus on 'way finding.' With visitors coming into the downtown from scenic rail, we want to make sure there is signage, a trail of marshmallows if you will, to get to our businesses and get to our restaurants so they can make more of a day of it," Cesan said.
Meanwhile, Berkshire Scenic Railway is still advertising a May 2014 start date and seeking volunteers to work there. An information session on volunteering will be held on Saturday, May 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. at North Adams City Hall.
Tags: Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, MassDOT, scenic rail,
