by Trish Rudder
Progress has been slow to build the North Berkeley Rail Trail (NBRT), but the contractor bidding process has finally begun.
The West Virginia Division of Highways (DOH) is looking for contractors to design and build the trail by using the 30% design produced by HDR, Inc., said NBRT committee member Rebecca MacLeod.
The bids are to be opened December 12, 2023.
The 2.2 mile trail will begin at the historic Berkeley Springs train depot on North Washington St. and follow the old railroad bed north along Warm Springs Run, cross Jimstown Road and end at Sandmine Road.
According to the DOH, the trail completion date would be March 28, 2025.
The North Berkeley Rail Trail project is being built under the Transportation Alternatives Recreational Trails Program at a cost of about $1.96 million.
Depot lot work
In other Rail Trail developments, Berkeley Springs contractor Pentoney Brothers has been selected to work on Parcel 1B of the Berkeley Springs Depot lot to complete the stormwater control facility, Bath councilwoman Rebecca MacLeod said last week.
The depot lot is also the trailhead for the North Berkeley Rail Trail.
Designed by MacLeod with Downstream Strategies Planner, Matt Pennington’s assistance, the eastern portion of the lot will be turned into a green space with native trees, shrubs and perennial wildflowers.
A pre-construction conference with Chesapeake Bay Trust, who is funding the project, will take place before the work can begin, MacLeod said.
In July, the Town of Bath was awarded a $55,400 grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust from the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Award Program for the installation of stormwater management practices to revitalize the Berkeley Springs Depot lot.
