NORTH ADAMS — The North Adams Daily Transcript wrote in an 1896 story, “The wheelmen and wheelwomen, who are now visiting Northern Berkshire in great numbers, would be strongly impressed with our enterprise up here if they see something being done in the way of bicycle paths.”
A $17 million grant will allow Northern Berkshire County communities to forge a new, 9.3-mile path connecting to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, realizing an idea more than 120 years in the making.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, came to North Adams on Friday to announce the federal money, which will go toward planning, design and permitting for the stretch. In about four years, design will be complete, and the section will be shovel-ready.
Neal said the Adventure to Ashuwillticook Trail Project will attract thousands of annual visitors and stimulate the region’s economic activity.
“It’s about preservation in open space and waterways, making sure succeeding generations, they get a chance to use them just as we have, with improvements on the side of public investment,” Neal said to about 70 people packed into city council chambers. “Today is a major success because it connects Williamstown and Adams and North Adams.”