Work on the Quequechan River Rail Trail Project is proceeding at a good pace with an expected completion in the Spring of 2016. Dedicated to Fall River resident, local historian and retired city planner Al Lima, work continues on 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. The rail trail project is being funded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and by the Gateway City Park Program of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs 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 one-minute video of the path on October 8, 2015. 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) Several of the historic mills are visible from the eastern end of the path before it travels under Route 195 to connect with the current path that begins at the Westport Town line along South Watuppa Pond. (Row two) The path will include a small pavilion in the middle of the path with extraordinary views of the wildlife in the River. (Row three) The Fall River Police Department headquarters are visible across Britland Park that borders the River. (Bottom row) a temporary bridge leads to a path that will run under Route 195 to connect the Trail with Rodman Street.