DCR to do Maintenance, Bridge Work On Old Adams Road Trail
ADAMS, Mass. — The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is working on maintenance and bridge repairs for the Old Adams Road trail.
The Conservation Commission approved the notice of intent for the project at its meeting on Thursday. Work will improve the trail surface and drainage on parts of the trail.
"This is a project, really, to just repair a couple different pieces of Old Adams Road Trail, which is one of our major snowmobile connector trails on the mountain," said Paul Jahnige, trail planner at DCR.
In addition to working on the trail itself, two bridges on the Adams section of the trail will be replaced and made safer. A third bridge, in the New Ashford section of the trail, will also be replaced.
"We are not proposing any new impervious area. We're not taking out any trees, any plants, or anything like that. So all of the areas where improvements are, they're already degraded areas," said Project Manager Lara Paxton of Fuss & O'Neill, a civil engineering firm. "With the bridge itself, it'll be done with small machinery. We're not bringing any like huge machines."
Jahnige said he is hopeful the project can begin and be completed soon.
"We're meeting with the contractor next week. Assuming we get all the permits, I'm hoping they can actually start before the weather makes it impossible," he said.
In other business, the board approved four requests for determination from Berkshire Gas, all involving work on gas mains. Roadways to be worked on include Fisk St., Forest Park Ave., Quality St., Gavin Ave., Winter St. and Powers St.
Community Development director Eammon Coughlin said most of the work involved is exempt from the Wetlands Protection Act or will not meaningfully disturb the environment. Commissioner James Fassell said it's good the board brought the information to the board anyway.
"I can see now why the gas company would be here presenting this material to us. Even though they are technically exempt, it's better to show the public what they're doing," he said.
The board approved a certificate of compliance for demolition and removal of damaged culvert pipe on Davis St. and Lime St.
The board briefly discussed the recent completion of the Cumberland Farms on Commercial St., with several members noting that the work was well done.
Tags: bridge, conservation commission,
