The long-awaited Point Road walking and bike path has made strides recently and might save $30,000 in donated gravel.
In the works for nearly four years, the Point Road Path project is coming along, according to Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission Chairman John Rockwell.
At the commission’s November 2 public meeting, Rockwell updated the membership that Frank Linhares will be conducting retaining-wall work for $12,500, while Arne Excavating will be removing nine rocks in the area to help clear the path. That bid came out to $7,250.
On another note, Rockwell said he and a member of the Marion Select Board are working on the possibility of getting approximately 2,000 yards of donated gravel, which would be a savings for the project.
Rockwell and MOSAC had no specific timeline, but residents in that area have long called for a nice walking and biking area. That area has no safe place to run, walk or bike. A 2019 Town Meeting approved $268,000 for the project. Rockwell told residents at the meeting that the project has been long-awaited but is coming together.
One resident asked how the path would connect to adjacent Jenna and Joanne Drives and how snowplows could impact the areas connected the path to those streets. Rockwell said he envisions enough gravel to make the path join easily with those drives, and he even hopes for a handicap-accessible strip to allow for safe access to the path from those roads.
MOSAC disappointed residents last summer who wanted the path open this summer, but Rockwell at a July meeting explained that engineering and permitting account for 30 percent of costs.
Rockwell also said at the July meeting that $117,000 of the $268,000 approved for the project in 2019 was allocated to “in-kind services” such as the Notice of Intent to plot the wetlands line and a match involving contract supervision and design work.
Residents on the Zoom call at a November 2 meeting expressed gratitude with the project moving forward.
The project ties in with the South Coast Bike Alliance, which seeks to create as many continuous bike paths all over the South Coast, connecting Marion and Mattapoisett with Greater New Bedford communities while also connecting to Greater Fall River communities.
The next meeting of the Open Space Acquisition Commission was not scheduled upon adjournment.
Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission
By Jeffrey D. Wagner