A crew from Biszko Contracting Corporation began work on the Quequechan River Rail Trail Project during the last week of June, 2015 to construct the final two stages of the current path that begins at the Westport Town line along South Watuppa Pond. The project will build a bicycle and walking path that will run over the former railroad bed to connect with Britland Park and Rodman Street. "It's been a long time in coming, and I think once this project is completed it's going to be a lot of fun, stated Mike Biszko, owner of Biszko Contractors who are doing the work. " It's going to be educational and a great benefit to the City, the bikers and the walkers, so we're looking forward to having this completed very soon," he added. The project is being funded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and will consist of a ten foot wide paved surface with three foot grass shoulders, as well as plantings and a fence over each of the five timber bridges that will be constructed. Pedestrian-actuated crossing signals will be constructed on Brayton Avenue and Quequechan Streets to permit walkers and cyclists to cross traffic safely. The project follows a plan for a Quequechan River Greenway that includes improvements to Britland Park as well. Plans were first presented in April, 2011 and reviewed in 2012 along with other efforts to make Fall River more bicycle-friendly. Click here for a 3-minute video. Click here for the Herald News article. For more information about the project, contact Fall River Mass In Motion coordinator Julianne Kelly, at 508-324-2405.

(Top row) The project begins with construction of a new bridge over the Quequechan River to permit access to the remainder of the existing railroad bed that once provided rail service to many of the Fall River mills. (Row two) with the construction of the temporary bridge now complete, excavators are able to begin clearing the path that parallels Route 195 to the south. (Row three) Biszko Contracting Corporation owner Mike Biszko describes the early stages of the project that is expect to be completed in 2016. (Bottom row) The trail opens up many natural vistas on the River as well as a view of the back of the Fall River Police Station, center.