Current Status
Columbia Greenway Status as of 03/11/2008
The Columbia Greenway originally scheduled to begin construction in the spring of 2009 has been delayed by a proposed downtown shopping center development. Currently the downtown segment is scheduled for 2012. In addittion both the delay and changes to the plan to accomodate the shopping center will most likely add $3.5 million dollars to the construction cost. At this point in time the additional funding has not been secured, and will most likely result in additional delays.
The Southwick to Westfield segment of the trail originally scheduled for construction in the spring of 2008 has also been delayed. The Westfield Gas & Electic Department has finalized an agreement with the town of Southwick to run a gas line under the rail trail. To accomodate construction of the gas line Southwick has requested Mass Highways to delay for two years the Westfield connector. This delay will most likely result in additional costs which may add even more delays to the project.
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To view the status of these projects visit the following;
Westfield, Phase 1 http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/ProjectInfo/Main.asp?ACTION=ViewProject&PROJECT_NO=603783/
Westfield, Phase 2 http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/ProjectInfo/Main.asp?ACTION=ViewProject&PROJECT_NO=6049677
Westfield, Phase 3 http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/ProjectInfo/Main.asp?ACTION=ViewProject&PROJECT_NO=604968
Southwick, Phase 1 http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/ProjectInfo/Main.asp?ACTION=ViewProject&PROJECT_NO=602844
Southwick, Phase 2 http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/ProjectInfo/Main.asp?ACTION=ViewProject&PROJECT_NO=604443
Plans
We have a set of the detailed 25% Design Plans available for viewing at New Horizons Sports.
Click here to view the proposed Rail Trail and other Downtown Westfield Improvements.
Westfield's Rail Trail
What is the Columbia Greenway?
The Columbia Greenway is the name chosen for Westfield's RailTrail. Currently in its design phase, the trail when completed will extend from the Westfield River to the Southwick town line. The Columbia Greenway will traverse Downtown Westfield on an elevated line with bridge crossings of all streets in the Downtown. The trail will tie into the Southwick trail to the Connecticut state Line and then become the Farmington Valley Greenway extending to New Haven, Connecticut. At a future date the Columbia Greenway will extend northward from the Westfield River to eventually tie into the Northampton Bike Trail. While the construction of the Westfield section of the trail network is still a few years away, section s are complete in Easthampton, and Northampton, MA and Granby, Simsbury, Avon, Collinsville, and Farmington CT.
| Columbia Greenway Rail to Trail Conversion |
Funding: State Funded - Local Priority
Cost Estimate: $7,800,000
Ground Breaking: 2007
Final Acceptance: 2012
Location:
Description: The Columbia Greenway project utilizes the rail line bisecting the downtown to convey a bicycle/pedestrian corridor connecting Depot Square, north of the Westfield River, the multiple attractions of the downtown with the residential areas to the south as well as continuing a similar effort in the Town of Southwick and though the State of Connecticut to a major national eastern seaboard route. Again the City will incorporate streetscape issues as it seeks to design this route as a linear park. The numerous bridge crossings afford excellent vantage points for views, rest areas will be incorporated as well lighting in the urbanized areas. |
Funding
OLVER ANNOUNCES HOUSE APPROVES TRANSPORTATION BILL
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Bill Includes Funding For Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Projects |
WASHINGTON - Congressman John W. Olver (1st District) announced that the House of Representatives today passed the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEAL-U), a six-year, $275 billion authorizing bill which funds the nation's highways, bridges, mass transit systems and bicycle pathways. The bill passed by a 387-65 vote.
"This bill ensures that Massachusetts - particularly western and central Massachusetts - will continue to receive its fair share of federal highway dollars," Olver said. "This legislation to fund our roads, bridges, bike paths and highways is long overdue."
TEA-LU builds upon the successes of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) of 1998, which expired on September 30, 2003. Since then, Congress has had to pass two short-term extensions of TEA-21.
This bill (H.R. 3550) includes:
$5 Million for Southwick and Westfield Rail Trail
The Southwick Rails to Trails and Westfield Columbia Greenway comprise a 9.5-mile multi-use trail located along a former railroad bed. The trail will stretch from the Connecticut border north through Southwick for 6.3 miles and Westfield for 3.2 miles ending at the Great River Bridge on the Westfield River.
In Southwick, the bike path will follow the line of an abandoned railroad track, while the Westfield portion will run through the center of the city on an elevated light rail bed. The project includes paving, the installation of a tunnel, reconstruction of a dry bridge, rehabilitation of stone arch culvert and four roadway crossings.
When complete, the two projects will create a 48-acre linear park with a variety of unique land features including stone outcroppings, streams, native wildlife habitats and farms.
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