Date: September 3, 2009
Contact: Karst Hoogeboom, Chief of Maintenance, 508-957-0740
Cape Cod National Seashore Superintendent George E. Price, Jr. has announced that the second and final phase of the Province Lands Bike Trail rehabilitation project will soon be underway. Price said, “Construction will commence on September 8, 2009 and is expected to continue until March 6, 2010. This phase is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and will complete the rehabilitation of 4.1 miles of the 7.3 mile bike trail.” Constructed in the 1960s, the Province Lands Bike Trail was the first bike trail designed and constructed in a national park area. Planning for the bike trail improvements began in 2005 with the objectives of protecting resource areas and enhancing visitor experience and safety. The project is the result of a planning process that included an environmental assessment, public meetings at Provincetown Town Hall, and a public comment period. Price concluded that he was “pleased the seashore received the ARRA funding to finish this important project which will make critical improvements to this popular trail.”
The rehabilitation includes widening the bike trail to a width of 10 feet, except in wetland areas, and resurfacing it. There will be no expansion of the bike trail into wetland areas. Wood retaining walls will be replaced or constructed where needed. New signs, a centerline, and other pavement makings will also be added. Beach grass and other native vegetation will be planted and jute will be installed in places where sand drifts across the bike trail.
Starting September 8, 2009 two segments of the bike trail will be temporarily closed to the public. Closures will include the Beech Forest to Bennett Pond segment and the segment from Beech Forest, past the Province Lands Visitor Center, to Race Point Beach. The 0.5 mile segment from Race Point Road to the nearest tunnel on Province Lands Road will also be closed temporarily. The remaining segments of the bike trail, which were rehabilitated last year, will remain open.
For more information please contact Karst Hoogeboom, Chief of Maintenance, at 508-957-0740.
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