Library hosts exhibit of 'Bridges on the Assabet River Rail Trail'

PHOTO/ANGELA GREINER Marlborough resident (l to r) Kim Moccaldi and her sons C.J., 6, and Dean, 8, examine the rail trail map at the Marlborough Public Library. Marlborough - "The Bridges on the Assabet River Rail Trail" (ARRT) is currently displayed at the Marlborough Public Library. The exhibit, which was assembled by volunteers from ARRT, will run through the end of August.

Director of ARRT for Marlborough residents Duncan Power explained that the group organized the exhibit as a means of advertising the trail, which currently runs for about six miles across the communities of Hudson, Marlborough, Maynard and Stow. When finished, the trail will run for 12 miles into south Acton. It will potentially have eight bridges.

"We choose the subject of bridges because they are a prominent feature along the trail," Power said.

Children's Librarian Deborah Boates-Miller explained that the library uses the display case to provide information that nonprofits want to share with the library community. The library staff tries to maintain a balance of what's displayed in the case.

"It is not just for advertising fund-raisers, but also to make people aware of what is important to Marlborough," Boates-Miller said. "We have it for beautification and education for the library patrons."

For residents unfamiliar with the trail, maps and photos highlight the locations where the bridges are located. Boates-Miller explained that the display also provides a great introduction to the architecture of bridges.

The ARRT is built on the abandoned tracks of the former Marlborough Rail Road, which was in operation from 1853 through 1980. The trail has six existing and planned bridges, with the potential of two more locations; this does not include the small bridges over culverts.

One of the featured bridges that generates a lot of local interest and traffic is the "High Bridge" in Hudson. Reconstructed and reconditioned in 2004, the bridge spans 125 feet and sits in its original location over the Assabet River. After sandblasting and repainting the original bridge, safety rails and a viewing deck were added for residents' convenience and safety.

"You get a great view of the river from the bridge ... Even if you fear heights you will feel safe with the safety rails," Power said.

All of the bridges along the trail are open and all are reconditioned with safety rails. Although most do cross the Assabet River, one or two are exceptions and span canals as walkers proceed into the Maynard section.

Boates-Miller praised the work that ARRT has done.

"It is a beautiful hard-top terrain … It weaves through the neighborhoods ... It is a gorgeous way to see the community that is not from within a car," she said.

Some of the initial work on the trail included creating a local connection between Marlborough and Hudson along with recreational opportunities for residents. What Power and other ARRT members have found through usage data collected twice a year is that the trail is meeting and exceeding initial expectations.

"Our projected use was unknown in the beginning," Power said. "... The results presently are very encouraging ... The use is quite high."

For more information about the bridges on display at the library or other ARRT events, visit the website at www.artinc.org.