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A half-mile extension of the rail trail to Merrill Road should be completed this fall.

Pittsfield's 2nd Rail Trail Extension Coming Soon

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The second extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail southward through the city is on schedule for completion in the fall.

This will connect the leg that comes out on Crane Avenue to Merrill Road, paving the way for further extensions. A paved parking lot and path can be seen from the road with construction elements on the site.

"The construction of the Pittsfield Rail Trail project began in October of 2023 and is expected to be completed on time in the fall," a representative from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation confirmed.

The 0.4-mile extension will go underneath the Dalton Avenue bridge, travel behind the Shops at Unkamet Brook (which include Dick's Sporting Goods, Raymour & Flanigan, and Panera Bread,) and come out next to O'Connell Oil Associates.

Coming in at about $2.35 million, MassDOT says the project is on budget. Eighty percent of the construction cost is paid by the Federal Highway Administration and 20 percent is funded by the state.

To accommodate the extension, a 5,900-square-foot paved parking area with 11 spaces will be built adjacent to the trail at Merrill Road.

Project activities include a rest area with bench seating, bicycle racks, and trail information; a Pedestrian Activated Hybrid Beacon (HAWK) signal at Merrill Road; repair of an existing stormwater drainage culvert underneath the existing rail embankment at one location; and new grass-lined infiltration swales parallel to the trail totaling a cumulative 1,150 linear feet.



During construction, crews encountered some contaminated soil but the project remained on schedule. One of eight soil sample conducted was found to have polychlorinated biphenyls and the contaminated soil was disposed of properly. Initially estimated at $1.65 million, the discovery of the contamination added $700,000 to the trail's price tag.

The next proposed phase of the rail trail is an approximately 1.5-mile extension along Merrill Road/Route 9 and it is expected to be advertised for construction in December 2027.

MassDOT said plans for further extensions have not been finalized.

In 2022, the city celebrated a finished 1.5-mile leg of the trial along the abandoned Housatonic railroad line that runs from the Connector Road to Crane Avenue. The 10-foot paved multi-use path is loved by walkers, bikers, and more.

The rail trail now runs more than 14 miles.

The first section opened in 2001 from Route 8 in Cheshire to Hoosac Street in Adams and was extended to Lime Street in 2016. The trail will eventually link up to a recently completed 2.4-mile path in Williamstown.


Tags: Ashuwillticook Rail Trail,   bike path,   

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Pittsfield Sees 2nd Ashuwillticook Rail Trail Extension

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan recognizes Merle Ferber, in the white coat, for her work on the project.
 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail now extends a half-mile farther into Pittsfield, literally paving the way for infrastructure through the downtown and beyond.

Local and state officials beckoned the first wave of pedestrians on the new leg with a ribbon cutting Thursday morning. The trail currently is more than 14 miles long and connects Lime Street in Adams to Merrill Road.

"Outdoor recreation is a vital economy not only here in Pittsfield but in the Berkshires. Pittsfield is always looking for ways to provide more opportunities for both residents and visitors to enjoy the natural environment that we have in the Berkshires. I must say that I'm biased towards Pittsfield as we have the best of both worlds," Mayor Peter Marchetti said.

"We have an active community with a vibrant downtown within a few minutes of captivating natural landscapes. In addition to the rail trail, Pittsfield is fortunate to be home to two beautiful lakes, the state forest, 29 parks, and hundreds of acres of open space and conservation areas. These resources are significant assets that we must protect so we can continue to enjoy them in the years ahead."

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath held up a copy of the city's Bike and Pedestrian Study done nearly 20 years ago. It articulated the construction of a rail trail to this point.

"As a planner, we all know that sometimes things take a long time to come to fruition but here we are today. We've realized this vision, and it is a result of a lot of hard work and advocacy from folks and a lot of the friendly faces that we see here in the audience today," he said.

"But you know, with each section that we construct, we're getting closer to realizing our vision for a true Berkshire bike path. One that connects Vermont with Connecticut and of course, having the section through Pittsfield is important in making that connection and realizing that connection."

The city's connection began in 2022 when a completed 1.5-mile section connected Crane Avenue to the Lanesborough town line. Construction on this latest leg began one year ago and includes a new 11-space parking lot accompanied by a pedestrian hybrid beacon signal at the entrance.

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