BSTRA's Uxbridge SNETT Bridge Project -
Past, Present and Future

If you've been a member, sponsor or friend of Bay State Trail Riders Association for at least 4 years, then you've no doubt heard of our Uxbridge SNETT Bridge Project (perhaps you've even heard of it more than you would like!). There has been a lot of activity, there have been a lot of obstacles, and many of you are wondering the current status of this project. The following provides a little history on this community project and will bring you up-to-date with our efforts and progress.

Past

BSTRA celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2002, and after 30 years of active service in trail advocacy, the Board decided it wanted to take on a significant community trail project for such a major anniversary. Thus the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (one of BSTRA's ongoing trail improvement locations) Bridge Project was born.

With no bridge in Uxbridge to reconnect the Southern New England Trunkline Trail since the re-routing of Route 146 more than 15 years ago, the gap created a major trail obstacle and prevented safe passage to a number of community and tourist trail users. Since Route 146A in Uxbridge (near The Oyster Cabin and McDonalds) is a very busy road and is the location of the gap, all trail users share the same safety issues. Authorized trail users include snowmobilers, equestrians, mountain bikers, hikers, cross country skiers, and dog sledders.

BSTRA did some research, utilized Echo Bridge in NY for bridge design, got initial construction expenses and presented its Uxbridge SNETT Bridge Project to Massachusetts State Representatives and DCR for support. The intent was for BSTRA to raise the money to build the bridge (at an estimated cost then of roughly $265,000 for bridge design and construction). Upon its completion BSTRA would donate the Bridge to the State of Massachusetts. Since this project would also tie in favorably with the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor goals, the political climate was very favorable, so BSTRA moved forward with its project to "Bridge the Gap", and fundraising was underway.

First we applied for and were awarded a grant managed through the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) from the Federal Recreational Trails Program for $64,000. This money was used to get the bridge design plan done by Echo Bridge. The next round of grant applications resulted in a grant from the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission for $10,000. We currently have a pending grant application with DCR for money from the Federal Recreational Trails Program in the amount of $50,000.

BSTRA also started raising money from various fundraising efforts, including raffles, events and fund drives. The total collected for the Bridge Fund as of February, 2007 is $94,826.

With inflation, the original construction expense increased to just over $300,000 by 2004. BSTRA was approached during this timeframe with a tremendous offer, a completely paid for bridge! All we needed to do was pay for the engineering work and the access fencing. We had the funds, we had the design, and the Project was presented to then Gov. Romney for his stamp of approval. He flatly denied the project! BSTRA was flabbergasted. Here was a project which was politically favorable when we started, a project which would benefit so many people in the Central Massachusetts community, a project which tied in with the tourism goals of the Corridor Plan, and a project which would carry no expense for the State, a clearly "win-win" situation, and then Gov. Romney denied it!! BSTRA was forced to go into waiting mode, waiting for Romney to leave to pursue his new political aspirations.

Present

The project which seemed so straight forward when we began was turning too complex for BSTRA to handle on its own. We needed someone with more political expertise to take on our project. Vanasse, Hangen Brustlin, Inc (VHB), a consultant with experience in transportation, land development and environmental services, was hired to take on our project. VHB already had quite a track record with various trail projects. The $10,000 grant from the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission was used to pay VHB for the first section of services.

VHB changed our strategy so that the Bridge Project would become a trail extension as an amendment to the Segment 2 Blackstone River Bikeway Project, with the bridge providing a connection from the Blackstone River Bikeway in Massachusetts to the Airline State Park Trail and Hop River State Park Trail (Willimantic) in Connecticut. From there the trail continues to Hartford, CT.

Although the bridge was previously designed and engineered by Echo Bridge, VHB anticipates there will be some structural engineering services required to address Mass Highway bridge design protocol - such as borings, type study report, sketch plans and structural calculations. Under the VHB proposal, BSTRA will be responsible for the Final Design Expense and will need to be ready with the funds by October 16, 2007. The project balance of $1.1 million for construction cost will be covered by the BRBW Section 2 project.

The 25% design submittal for Segment 2 of the BRBW was submitted for approval in Feb. 2007 by Mass Highway.

Future

We expect the two schedules (bridge project trail extension and BRBW) will coincide by the public hearing milestone in May 2007. 100% design submittal is scheduled for August 24, 2007; PS&E Submittal is scheduled for October 16, 2007; and then this project will follow the Segment 2 schedule through construction.

With October, 2007 as our deadline for reaching our funding goal, we are aggressively asking local businesses to support us by making tax-deductible donations, holding fundraising events (such as our Spring Hunter Pace and National Trails Day Benefit Ride), and having raffles at BSTRA events. With support, these fundraising efforts should result in BSTRA achieving the goal necessary to pay for the Final Design Expense.

With the Bridge in place and the Bikeway completed, there will be benefits for the community - tourism will increase (bringing in revenues for businesses in the area) and residents will have access to an extensive trail network offering outdoor recreation and the opportunity for a healthy lifestyle to a variety of trail users.

To be a part of this project, please send your tax-deductible donation to:
BSTRA, Inc.
c/o L. Paresky,
Fundraising Chairman
76 Northwest Main Street
Douglas, MA 01516