Shared-use path construction to begin Aug. 11 on Old Mansfield Road

Public works staff announced that construction of a shared-use path on Old Mansfield Road will begin Monday, Aug. 11, with Smith Paving as the contractor and an expected completion by the end of the year. The work will run from Belmont south to Fairgrounds Road, cross to the west side and continue to Grange, a distance the speaker described as about a quarter-mile.

The move is intended to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and stormwater management in the area, officials said. "This is going to be the project that we've been talking about, the shared use path," the staff member said, adding that the path will "connect everybody on this end to be able to get to the town through sidewalks." The speaker also said the improvements will give students a safer route to walk or bike to school.

Traffic will be limited to one open lane during construction; the lane open to northbound or southbound traffic will likely switch during the project. "We will have 1 lane open, and we won't know what lane it will be, but you'll be able to go either northbound or southbound, but not both," the staff member said. The speaker said businesses, including the veterinary hospital, and nearby churches will remain accessible during construction.

Project timing and lane details were presented as operational plans rather than formal actions by a legislative body; no motions or votes were reported. The staff member said the project would start early on Aug. 11 and likely continue "until probably the end of the year" and that the public will be kept informed about which lane is open at given times.

Residents and road users were asked to be on the lookout for notifications from public works ahead of the start date. The announcement did not specify funding sources, permit status, or required external approvals.