The Chelmsford DPW resumed repair work on the trail during the week of March 15th. Removal of damaged pavement has been done near High Street and several locations between High Street and Maple Road. This latter section is now closed to trail use due to hazards from exposed tree roots and uneven base material.
Major portions of the trail are CLOSED to all use due to the amount of damaged pavement that has been removed. This makes it unsafe for bicycle and pedestrian use.
During the weeks of March 22nd and March 29th, a DPW crew will be removing additional sections of the trail pavement from Maple Road to the Westford town line. From the Rt. 3 tunnel/Lowell line heading toward Chelmsford Center, a crew is working to remove roots, regrade and compact the trail base.
When the asphalt plant opens (hopefully by early April), it is expected that repaving of excavated sections will begin shortly thereafter, starting again from the Rt.3 tunnel/Lowell line and proceeding south toward Chelmsford Center and toward the Westford town line, weather permitting. Once paving and final cleanup is completed, sections of the trail will be reopened sequentially.
It is still the plan that completion of repairs will occur by mid to late April.
What can trail users do to help?
1. Please be patient with the work and the timetable.
2. Please STAY OFF the sections of the trail under repair for safety purposes and not interfere with crews working on the trail.
3. Please DO NOT move the fences and barriers on the closed sections. This will minimize access to the trail.
Trail users, it is up to YOU to help this process move along in a timely manner.
Thank you!