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Construction funded by all our donors and:

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Construction 2020 - images

Installation of safety fences - April and May 2021

The Board of Directors of Squannacook Greenways, under the leadership of Mark Cram, installed two pressure-treated safety fences behind Sterilite and near Old Meetinghouse Road.

The board at work on the fence near Old Meetinghouse Road

Chief engineer Mark Cram

Ray Jackson doing what he has done all his life - building trails

The board starting work behind Sterilite

Peter Cunningham and Mark Cram putting up the rails.

Mark Cram after the end of day 1 behind Sterilite
Construction of final rail trail - Depot St to Old Meetinghouse - Starting Nov 2020 - Spring 2021

The first section of the rail trail, from Depot St. to Old Meetinghouse Rd (1.1 miles) is being built by Shepherd's.

Video of laying down stonedust

Click on the image above to watch Andrew Shepherd's drone video of laying down the stone dust

Laying down the final stone dust surface.

Laying down the final stone dust surface.

Laying down the final stone dust surface.

Packing the stone dust down.

Laying down the final stone dust surface.

The stone dust going through the rock cut.

Removing the old railroad ties

Removing the old railroad ties

Railroad ties awaiting transport

Railroad ties awaiting transport

Working behind Sterilite

Working behind Sterilite

Heading off to pick up ties

Heading off to pick up ties

Surface preparation near Depot Street

The base ready for stone dust

James Gates and Chris Overton of Shepherd's discuss the design of the rail trail through the rock cut.

Video of snowplowing the rail trail

Click on the image above to watch the video
Removal of steel rails - Nov-Dec 2020

The steel is being removed by Keystone Rail Recovery of PA, and JMG Metals of Vermont.

Cutting of steel rails

Cutting a steel rail took only about 30 seconds!

Steel rails awaiting transport

Pulling a long section of steel rail

Pulling a long section of steel rail toward the staging area.

Pulling rails through the woods

Steel rails removed

Steel rails piled near Depot St

Steel rails piled near Depot St.

Thanks to Joe Shank and the team at Harbor Auto for providing us access from 119 to the rail corridor.

Keystone removing rails behind Harbor Auto.
Rail trail signs - Nov-Dec 2020

Signs letting the public know about the project and when the trail is closed for construction

Sign announcing construction and thanking our donors who made it possible

Closing the trail near Harbor Pond for rail removal