BFRT Phase 2C - Construction Set To Begin May 1^st 

          POWDER MILL ROAD CLOSED SUMMER 2017

CONCORD, MA — After many years of engineering, design and waiting, construction on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Phase 2C is scheduled to begin the week of May 1^st.

MassDOT awarded the $6.7 million contract for Phase 2C of the BFRT to D.W. White Construction earlier this year. The Contractor conducted the initial pre-construction site walk with Town staff and MassDOT staff on April 19^th, beginning at the northern portion of the proposed trail from Department of Corrections land opposite MCI-Concord, across Commonwealth Ave. to Beharrell Street in West Concord. Another site walk to complete review of the initial construction activities (tree removal and trimming, clearing and installation of erosion control measures) is scheduled for Wednesday, April 26^th.

D.W. White anticipates beginning the initial construction activities the week of May 1^st, starting at either Commonwealth Ave. then moving southerly or at Powder Mill Road and moving northerly. The Contractor also expects to remove the existing culvert at Powder Mill Road this summer, replacing it with a new culvert that is better (higher and wider) for bicyclists using the trail. Powder Mill Road will be closed after Concord Public Schools are no longer in session in June and is expected to be re-opened before the start of the new school year in September. The Contractor will be submitting a detour plan to MassDOT engineers for approval prior to closing the roadway.

MassDOT District 4 Engineers will be providing construction oversight of this project and will coordinate with the Town as needed.