State offers to fund Southampton Rail Trail design to close 9.5‑mile gap

Kurt Geertner, assistant secretary in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, told the Southampton Select Board on July 28 that his office has contracted a design team to advance the Southampton Rail Trail and to help close a 9.5‑mile regional gap between Westfield and Northampton. "We are really trying to close the full gap," Geertner said, adding the state intends to pay for the design and permitting and that the town would ultimately approve design decisions and own the trail when complete.

Design representatives from Brown, Richardson & Roe and Stantec walked the board through the project purpose, right‑of‑way status and the range of trail cross‑sections under consideration. "This phase alone, we estimate to be about $115,000...and would take about a year to complete between all the field work," the presentation stated. Team members said the preliminary scope would include survey, wetlands delineation and preliminary structural reviews, and that the state would pursue construction funding through MassDOT's Transportation Improvement Program once design and permitting advance.

The presentation underscored a multi‑phase design process (concept, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) and multiple public checkpoints. The board agreed to at least two follow‑up virtual meetings and encouraged in‑person sessions later in the process so the town's residents can review drawings. The project team emphasized they would work with the town to incorporate local concerns during design and permitting.