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Transportation Secretary Daniel A. Grabauskas and MassHighway Commissioner John Cogliano today announced that the $423,450 Shining Sea Bikepath extension project in Falmouth will be advertised for construction on Saturday, July 17th.
"The Romney Administration believes that developing a comprehensive transportation network is about more than just roads and rails," said Secretary Grabauskas. "We have to encourage all transportation modes, and that includes the construction of bicycle and pedestrian paths. The Shining Sea Path will be a shining example of the effort to accommodate pedestrians and bicycle enthusiasts."
The project will construct approximately 3,500 feet of new bike and pedestrian path between Skating Lane and Carlson Lane in Falmouth. The new construction will link to an existing portion of the Shining Sea Path that presently provides connectivity between the Steamship Authority Parking Lot, the Falmouth Bus Depot, and the Steamship Authority facility in Woods Hole.
"Bike paths are not just great recreational opportunities, but they are rapidly becoming a viable and practical alternative to get from 'Point A' to 'Point B'," said Commissioner Cogliano.
The path will be constructed along an inactive rail line owned by the Commonwealth. A long-term lease agreement was hammered out between the state and the Town of Falmouth to permit the use of the right-of-way for recreational purposes.
"I am pleased to see this important phase moving forward and am appreciative of the Secretary's support. With this action, he now joins Falmouth town officials, the Chamber of Commerce, and Falmouth residents as an advocate of this project," said Senator Therese Murray, chair of the Senator Committee on Ways and Means. "Representative Turkington and I have worked on this bike path for years now and it is great to see this important step underway."
Representative Eric Turkington said, "I am thrilled to see this project moving forward. The Board of Selectmen, the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce, and our Town Meeting have all been advocates of extending the Shining Sea Bikeway to North Falmouth. By executing this 99-year lease and putting this project out to bid, the Commonwealth has joined the town in making this goal a reality. We are especially appreciative of the support Secretary Grabauskas and his team gave in moving this plan ahead."
Based on weather and the discretion of the contractor that is selected, it is likely that construction of the path extension could commence this year. The project will take approximately two years to build.
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c. 2009 Commonwealth of Massachusetts