The Salmon Brook Bridge was opened just in time for Trails in Motion

Farmington River Trail Pavilion

Located at the Route 4 parking lot on the trail in Unionville, this impressive building was a joint project of the FVTC and the Rotary Club of Farmington, with the important help of the Town of Farmington. Started in the fall of 2007, it was finished and dedicated in June of 2008. Total cost was $34,000 of which over $9,000 was raised in cash donations to cover materials, $13,000 of in-kind donations, with the rest being labor, of which the majority was provided by the Rotary Club. Farmington's donation of site work and preparation was substantial and is not included in this accounting. We are all proud to give the structure to the town. It is already well used and will be heavily used when the trail north to Burlington is finished in 2009.

Cash Donations

F.S.B. Foundation, Inc.
Farmington Community Chest
Rotary District 7890
Aldo DeDominicus Foundation, Inc.
Scully Nicksa & Reeve, LLC
Tomasso Brothers, Inc<

In-Kind Donations

Farmington Ready Mix, Inc.
Don Hammerberg Associates
Szewczak Associates
Sanford & Hawley, Inc.
Advanced Reprographics

On February 8, 2006, the Town of Farmington held a public information meeting to discuss preliminary design plans for the portion of the Farmington River Trail between Rt 177/South Main Street and River Road. The proposed construction over approximately 3,330 feet of abandoned railroad right of way consists of clearing the right of way, improving drainage, grading, installation of timber post and rail fencing and paving the thirteen foot wide multi-use trail all at an estimated cost of $575,000.00.

Led by Farmington Project Engineer Bruce Cyr and Director of Public Works Russ Arnold, the discussion ranged from safety issues to limiting neighborhood intrusions by trail users to the relocation of River Road and access to the new tunnel under Route 4.

Mr. Cyr told the small audience that the project called for 8' stockade fencing through developed areas to encourage people to stay on the trail. He also stated that River Road was to be relocated farther from the river to allow for construction of the trial. It will, however, be necessary to cross River Road to access the Route 4 tunnel he said.

The project is scheduled to go to bid in April with construction to begin this summer. The expected completion date is October, 2006, although paving could be delayed until spring, 2007. Once the trail is graded to a finished surface, Mr. Cyr estimated it would take about one week to pave.

When finished the Farmington River Trail will be completed all the way from Red Oak Hill Road in Farmington to the Collinsville section of Canton, save for an approximately one mile stretch through Burlington from River Road to the Route 4 parking lot in Burlington. The audience was advised by Conn DOT that this small section did not make the final round for funding in the latest federal transportation funding bill. This means that this vital section of trail will not be eligible for federal transportation enhancement funds for six more years. Burlington as well as other communities and organizations will need to look elsewhere for funding if that portion of the trail is to be completed in a reasonable period of time.

No one in the audience was opposed to the route or design of the trail. Several people had questions about crossing Route 177 from the point where the trail now ends to Railroad Avenue where the new segment begins. Although he never said so explicitly, it could be implied from Mr. Cyr's comments that Conn DOT has little regard for pedestrian safety refusing to even consider the Town's proposal for a crosswalk providing direct access from New Britain Avenue to Railroad Avenue.

Here are some photos of ongoing progress in East Granby, north of Copper Hill Road:

Several enhancements have added enjoyment to our use of the Greenway in East Granby. Photos showing benches and fences on the section between Copper Hill Road and Route 20 are:

You will also note how well-maintained this lovely section is. Hats off to the E.G. maintenance department and to Section Trail Maintainer Larry Bulgier.

This Bench is a memorial to Monique Colletti.

 
These two benches were completed by David Hines of East Granby as his Boy Scout Eagle project.