Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission

Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA

Media Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2011

Design Public Hearing Scheduled for Connecticut Riverwalk

The public is invited to participate in a design public hearing for the proposed Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway in West Springfield. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 23rd at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Auditorium, 26 Central Street, West Springfield, MA.

The hearing is being sponsored by the Mass. Department of Transportation. Engineering consultants for the project will describe the proposed project and answer questions from the public.

The Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway is a proposed 2-mile paved multi-use riverfront path along the base of the Connecticut River flood control dike near the Riverdale Shops.  The path will provide residents with opportunities for recreation, including walking, biking, and rollerblading, as well as riverfront enjoyment and access. The Connecticut Riverwalk is a regional bikeway/walkway facility with additional segments already constructed in Agawam and Springfield.

The main multi-use bike path is a ten-foot wide paved trail. A second eight-foot wide gravel pedestrian path is proposed along the top of the existing flood control dike that incorporates the existing maintenance ramps to access the top of the dike. Paved parking areas are proposed with direct access to the multi-use path. Two separate gravel path spurs will be constructed from the main trail down to the riverfront area. A neighborhood connection path is proposed at the north end of the project that includes a prefabricated pedestrian bridge.  Shared accommodations for all users have been provided in accordance with applicable guidelines.

For questions or further information, please contact:

Chris Curtis, Chief Planner            Richard Werbiskis                   Carrie Lavallee
Pioneer Valley Planning                 Planning Director                    Project Manager
Planning Commission                    West Springfield                     MassDOT
413-781-6045                              413-263-3271                       Carrie.Lavallee@state.ma.us