Cape Cod National Seashore Announces Section of Nauset Bike Trail Closed for Rehabilitation

Date: October 29, 2013
Contact: George E. Price, Jr., Superintendent, 508-957-0701

The section of the Nauset Bike Trail between Salt Pond Visitor Center and Tomahawk Trail in Eastham within Cape Cod National Seashore is closed for the second and final phase of rehabilitation and safety improvements. The closure takes effect on October 30 and will remain in effect until approximately mid-December. During this period pedestrians and bikes will be prohibited from using this section of the bike trail. The section of bike trail between Tomahawk Trail and Coast Guard Beach which was rehabilitated last spring will be open. The two Nauset Marsh foot trail crossings over the closed bike trail should remain open so walkers can continue to access the foot path between the visitor center and Coast Guard Beach. The crossings will be closed periodically pending work in those two immediate areas.

The Nauset Bike Trail is a steep, 6-8 foot wide twisting route that was constructed in the 1960s to the standards of the day. The old bike trail asphalt will be recycled and mixed in with new asphalt and laid down in the same alignment but with a 10 foot width where possible. Sharp curves will be alleviated and site visibility will be improved.Areas of poor drainage will be raised and side slopes will be stabilized. Detour signs will be in place prior to guide bicyclists and pedestrians.

Phase one of the project, between Tomahawk Trail and Coast Guard Beach was completed last spring. Construction was suspended during the summer, and phase two, which was scheduled to commence earlier this month, was delayed due to the government shutdown. The project is funded by the Paul Sarbanes Transit in the Parks (TRIP) program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration.

Superintendent George Price stated that there is never a good time to close a popular bike path such as the Nauset Bike Trail. "We've chosen a less busy time of year for this work so we inconvenience fewer people," said Price. "We've worked with this contractor on several other projects, including the Province Lands Bike Trail, and we have confidence that they will deliver a quality project. We appreciate the public's patience while we make these critical safety improvements."