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MassDOT signs Rocky Hill Greenway contract; National Grid pole work closes shared-use path until mid-April
Summary
Staff told the Bicycle & Pedestrian Subcommittee on March 12 that MassDOT has signed a contract for the Rocky Hill Greenway expansion and that National Grid pole replacement will close a long segment of the New Haven Canal shared-use path through mid-April, with limited detour options.
City staff told the Transportation and Parking Commission—s Bicycle & Pedestrian Subcommittee on March 12 that MassDOT has executed a contract for the Rocky Hill (Greenway) expansion and that National Grid is performing pole upgrades that will close a section of the New Haven Canal/New Haven shared-use path until roughly mid-April.
Carolyn said MassDOT has signed the contract for the Rocky Hill Greenway expansion, with JL Construction listed as the contractor, and that a preconstruction meeting is scheduled for the week following the March 12 subcommittee session. The expansion will extend the shared-use path from the Route 66/Manhan connector through Ice Pond and toward Florence Road, staff said.
At the same time, National Grid is reconstructing utility poles along the New Haven Canal segment between Northampton and East Hampton from Love Field Street to the cross-country section. "That whole section of path is gonna be closed until maybe mid April," Carolyn said. She added that National Grid provided updated timing and that the city will notify the public through the mayor—s newsletter.
Public commenter Alex Bowman asked whether the city had coordinated with National Grid on accessible detour routes after receiving an initial detour suggestion that was not accessible. Carolyn said the city—s options are limited because the path sits on National Grid easement territory and that the likely on-street detour for that segment is Route 10. "They control what and when they do maintenance," Carolyn said, explaining the city—s limited authority over utility-owned right-of-way.
Staff said they will post notices at path entrances and publish details in the mayor—s newsletter and asked committee members to spread the word to neighborhood groups and trail-user organizations. The city also asked National Grid to complete cross-country work early so the contractor for the greenway expansion can begin without conflict.
No formal votes or policy changes resulted from this update; staff described it as a preconstruction and public-notification matter and said they expect the closure to be disruptive to trail users while work proceeds.
