Friends of the Bike Path will meet February 28, 2012 at the Mattapoisett Public Library on Barstow Street beginning 6:30. We are gearing up for an active year of progress, public relations, and events. The meeting agenda will include questions and answers on progress, as well as a planning session for upcoming events: Bike safety sessions and bike ride for April, plus a fitness and a fundraising challenge on Sunday June 24, 2012. Both events will be a family friendly to encourage everyone to come out and ride or walk on our beautiful rail trail.
Regarding bike path progress, there has been a meeting with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and we are looking forward to a 25% review including a public hearing in late spring or early summer. We are hopeful that the successful 25% review will result in the Phase 1B project Mattapoisett Neck to depot Street) being back in the regional TIP for construction funding. While we wait for construction, we hope to replace the former pedestrian bridge across the Eel pond breach. This project needs to get environmental permits squared away, but we are confident we’ll get it done. And finally, we are working with other towns along the South Coast Bikeway(Fall river to Wareham) on a variety of informational and bike advocacy issues. Please come February 28 to learn all about what happening on the Bike Path and sign up to volunteer.