Mattapoisett Rail Trail      

Project History Recap

1996- 2002

Since Mattapoisett's Spring 1996 Town Meeting, when voters appropriated $500 for Bike Path Study Committee expenses, the project underwent substantial changes requiring additional research and design. Originally understood to be completely town-owned, property title to parts of the Railroad Right of Way was later questioned—and in some areas the town found that the RoW was private or the title was muddy. Resolving ownership took time.  To establish clear title for a strip of land within the RoW, which already has an easement for an existing sewer line, the State required eminent domain land takings.

The bike path route took an unexpected turn from the RoW in 1998 when the YMCA strongly objected to the trail separating the northern fields of their recreational facility from the rest of their summer day camp at the head of Mattapoisett Harbor. After four years of proposals, objections, and counter proposals, and after considerable discussion between the Town and the YMCA, complete agreement was reached in 2002.  The YMCA would agree to a  path that followed the perimeter of the Y's northern property.  The YMCA would donate this land to the Town. This portion of the project was redesigned accordingly.  Unfortunately, the new proposed route conflicted with the neighboring Reservation Golf Club's green, and more time was needed to resolve the issues.

In 2001, the trail funding and construction schedule was divided into four, roughly mile-long phases to allow the project to continue while YMCA route negotiations progressed. The first phase (Fairhaven to Neck Road) passed two votes by the townspeople of Mattapoisett: one approved the land taking of the RoW, needed to establish clear public title to the land, while the second approved the funding—and both passed by overwhelming majorities (80% in December 1997, 91% in May 2001).

Another delay occurred when the Selectmen put the project on hold until a full accounting of cost information, including operational costs, could be produced. The information was presented during a May 2002 Hearing.  The hearing was followed by an article on the Town warrant calling for funding previously passed to be rescinded. [refer to 4/29/02 Standard-Times article "Bike path costs to be explained at May hearing" and their post-hearing 5/08/02 article "Bike Path details come into focus"].

2002- 2005

The Right of Way land takings were complete in 2003. Construction might have started as early as Fall 2003, when our funding for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2004 was to become available, but the poor economy pushed back the funding schedule.  Also in 2003, the four construction phases were consolidated into two funding phases(Phase 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b), to align with the Federal and State transportation enhancements new funding schedule. SRPEDD increased the funding to allow the much larger project scope and cost due to the YMCA portion, and to cover normal escalation of costs since the original 1997 request for $880,000.

 In 2005, in order to allow funding to be allocated for Phase 1 , The YMCA went on record (2005) to say that they support the path and would donate land for it, regardless of the outcome of the Reservation Golf course issue. 

2006- Present

In 2006 the Town was asked to take another vote.  So much time had passed that either the town needed to approve the construction of Phase 1a or pay 100,000 dollars to the state for money spent on planning for a project that was not being built.  The Town, once again, overwhelmingly supported the Bike Path.

Environmental permitting for Phase 1a and Phase 1b continued.  Approvals were received for Phase 1a.

Mass Highway put the Phase 1a Project out to bid in Summer 2007. The bid opening occurred in January 2008 after several delays. The contract was signed in the summer 2008.  Amidst significant cost increases for fuel, asphalt, and many other construction materials, construction began in August 2008.  The construction contract originally included soils investigations for Phase 1b.  However , this scope of work was taken out of the contract, with the funding allotment reserved for completion of the borings under a separate contract later in the year.  In November 2008, the Rail Trail from Neck Road to Fairhaven town line was complete.  It was a warm Fall, and residents began to enjoy the path with walks and rides even before the last pieces were put in.

Looking Forward

In Fall-Winter, 2008, the federal approvals for construction on Goodspeed Island were received.  This cleared the way for engineering investigations required for Phase 1b.  Federal funding reserved for the project will be disbursed on schedule only if design is complete.  The town must provide the funding in Spring 2009 that will allow design to be completed up until 25%.  We are looking forward to formalizing the earlier agreements reached with the YMCA.  Borings and soils investigations in the marshy areas where the boardwalk will go will occur in Spring 2009.  Environmental permitting will continue, and we hope design documents for construction to be completed in 2010. 

Design work is contingent on the procurement and funding of a design contract with a civil engineering firm.  CLE Engineering has been selected.  These services, including a contingency for environmental permitting work not yet known, will cost approximately 140,000 dollars.   Two Town Warrant Articles have been proposed:  A $35,000 grant from the Community Preservation Fund, which requires Town meeting Approval,  and another article for funding from the Town's Free Cash.  This also must be approved at Town meeting, May 11, 2009. See our May 2009 Town Meeting Page.