Full steam ahead: Mattapoisett Rail Trail project advances

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Rail Trail project continues moving forward, with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation recently accepting Phase 2A of the project.

With acceptance comes the ability to apply for and receive federal and state construction funding through the Transportation Improvement Program.

“It allows the town to advance the project with the intent of getting the construction funded through state and federal funds,” said Pam Haznar, the treasurer of the Friends of the Mattapoisett Rail Trail.

Haznar noted that the project currently has a MassTrails Grant for just over $200,000 to put toward the project. The Friends of the Mattapoisett Rail Trail is also adding another $50,000 as match money. The organization is still seeking additional funds to finalize the design and help support whatever the town may need.

“If people are interested in donating or would like to get involved, we’re always in favor of support,” Haznar said.

According to Haznar, Phase 2A is in the very preliminary phase, which is an “involved process,” and includes designing the route the path will take and the construction and engineering required to make this possible.

It is generally determined that the trail will go from the parking lot at Depot Street and Railroad Avenue and follow the old railroad bed until it reaches the North Street Park and Ride.

“The route is basically just the line that takes you from Point A to Point B but the engineering is quite involved,” Haznar said.

She explained that the path itself needs to be designed and factors such as how the path would follow the terrain and how it would cross Route 6 need to be considered. Other factors to consider include the topography and whether environmental permitting will be required.

The Mattapoisett Rail Trail is part of an effort to create a bike path that connects Providence to Provincetown. Once the connection between the parking lot at Depot Street and the North Street Park and Ride is constructed, the Mattapoisett portion of the path will be complete.

There isn’t an established timeline, and it’s currently too early to predict when Phase 2A will be complete. However, when the design reaches the 25% mark, there will be a public hearing, which will give people a chance to voice their opinions on the project.

“It really helps as we move forward,” Haznar said.

According to Haznar, the Friends have been getting a lot of positive feedback on what’s already been constructed.

“We’re really happy with that,” she said.