Bridge permits cleared; committee expects rail-trail connection by month’s end

Chair (S1) told the Recreation Committee on Sept. 3 that he had spoken with Mike Dempsey and believes the permitting for the bridge linking the rail trail to the Center Street Greenway is complete. “I believe all the permitting and, you know, the permits that were required have been granted and given,” S1 said, and added he expects crews to start work “at the end of the month.”

S1 said the actual construction should be short and that, despite prior delays caused by permitting, the bridge could be available by the end of the calendar year or, in any case, before next spring. He emphasized the rail trail’s strong usage and that recent parking added off Main Street has been well utilized. Committee members asked about signage and S1 confirmed one of six planned kiosks will be sited at the bridge to identify the new connector and help users navigate between trails.

The committee discussed follow-up steps including finalizing kiosk installation and maps; S1 said signpost locations have been geolocated and that at least some of the public-facing maps should be ready by Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 22.