The City of Chicopee will hire an engineer to complete engineering and design plans for the Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway Project in Chicopee, MA.  The Riverwalk will continue from the existing Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway in Springfield at the Springfield-Chicopee city line and continue north along the Connecticut River terminating at Nash Field in the Willimansett section of Chicopee.  The design shall include two (2) alternatives to cross the Chicopee River.

Project Route Description

The Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway in Chicopee has three segments, including the Northern, Southern and River Crossing segments due to right of way and funding considerations.

The Southern Segment of the Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway Project in Chicopee will begin at the terminus of the existing Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway (Springfield Section) and continues north between the Connecticut River and the flood dike to Plainfield Street.  There the route will become a striped on-road bike route following Plainfield Street, and proceeding north on Center Street.  From Center Street, it will connect to the I-391 right-of-way and lower embankment, where it will again become an off-road path.  It will continue north eventually running beneath the piered section of I-391 to Depot Street. This segment contains both on road and off road bikeways.

The River Crossing Segment shall evaluate and design two options for crossing the Chicopee River.  Option One begins at Depot Street, crosses under the railroad tracks, runs west to Delta Park at the confluence of the Chicopee and Connecticut Rivers.  There the Riverwalk will cross the Chicopee River on a new bridge and continue north to the the Medina Street Boat Ramp.  Option Two will involve routing the Riverwalk across the river on existing bridges on Springfield Street.

The Northern Segment of the Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway Project will begin at the the Medina Street Boat Ramp and continues north between the Connecticut River and the flood dike to Nash Field.  It includes a proposed 3 meter (10 feet) wide path located at the river side toe of a flood dike along the Connecticut River.

The Riverwalk design plans will also include connections to the Chicopee River Canal Path, Exchange Street, the potential Delta Park recreation area and Nash Field.

Design History and Project Goal

Design and engineering work on the Connecticut Riverwalk in Chicopee was initiated in 1998 under a contract with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin.  In 2008, work was terminated on the project.  At that time, the project had partially completed 25% design and engineering plans, but a 25% design hearing had not been completed.  

The goal of this project is to complete 100% engineering and design plans to MDOT specifications and full PS&E (Plans, specs and estimate), to respond to all MDOT comments and secure final MDOT approval.

Overall Scope of Work

The selected consultant will complete the 25% to 100% engineering and design process resulting in a bid package that is ready for advertising by MassDOT.  Engineering services shall include, but not be limited to, conducting necessary surveys and preparing all necessary plans, cross sections, right-of-way plans, estimates, reports, permit applications and bid documents in accordance with the policies and procedures of MassDOT.  The project will be reviewed by MassDOT at the 25%, 75% and 100% PS&E stages with design and environmental review checklists required at each stage.  The consultant will also be responsible for construction phase services such as bid review, shop drawing review/approval and advice during construction as may be required. 

 The project will include the following program elements:

1. Project Design and Review 
2. Surveys and Controls
3. Environmental Permitting and Coordination 
4. Easements/Right-of-Way Plan 
5. Public Outreach
6. Construction Phase Services