Blackstone River Valley Greenway
IBI Group collaborated with project engineers, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., on the design of a 3.75 mile, multi-use trail segment of the bikeway on the historic Blackstone Valley RR ROW, extending from the Rhode Island state border into Millville, Massachusetts.
Client
Department of Conservation and RecreationLocation
Blackstone, MA
Redefining historical landscapes
The waters of the Blackstone River – which runs from Worcester, Massachusetts to Providence, Rhode Island – once powered the Slater Mill, America’s first successful textile mill. This endeavor began America’s transformation from farm to factory and gave birth to the Industrial Revolution. Today, the area comprises the historic John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.
The Blackstone River Bikeway, a bi-state linear park, will ultimately extend 48 miles. Currently, 10 miles of bike path are open to the public in Rhode Island, with an additional 2.5 miles of bikeway complete in Massachusetts. When completed in its entirety, the bike path project will serve as an alternate mode of transportation for commuters as well as the region’s premier multi-use recreational destination. It will connect New England’s second and third largest cities and serve a population of more than 1 million, linking many of the Valley’s significant natural and historic features.
The project includes:
- Restoration of 11 bridges
- Design of pedestrian connections, trailhead and parking design
- Viewshed management
- Ecological restoration
- Public outreach
Phase I of this project is complete. Phase II of the project involves the restoration of two historic viaducts along a 0.4 mile segment of the trail. Phase II will be completed in the spring of 2020.
