In Spring 2016, the towns of Dennis and Yarmouth began construction on a new extension for the Cape Cod Rail Trail. This project added bridges to span two major roads in both towns, Route 134 in S. Dennis and Station Ave. in S. Yarmouth. A third bridge to span Bass River and 3.7 miles of new paved was also planned for completion by late 2018.
As of Spring 2019, construction on both Phase I and II is finished. The overflow parking lot for S. Dennis was built at the original Dennis Town Hall lot on Old Bass River Rd. In addition, a brand new parking area with facilities adjacent to Yarmouth Commons shopping plaza was added for access to the Station Ave. bridge.
Phase II includes an at-grade crossing at North Main Street in Yarmouth and new paved trail to the Bass River bike bridge. This new span serves as both a pedestrian bridge for the CCRT and tidal restoration project. The existing 60’ wide bridge was widened to 160’ to match the existing opening under Route 6. The redesign improves the ecosystem of upper Bass River and eases navigation by deepening the channel under the bridge.
Phase III includes a bike bridge over Willow St. plus crossings at Forest and West Yarmouth roads. Scheduled to begin construction in 2023, the 4.4-mile expansion is estimated to cost $9.5 million, most of which will be covered by state and federal funding.
This phase extends Yarmouth’s existing shared use path into Barnstable with a new spur connecting Mary Dunn Road all the way to Independence Drive. Accordingly, parking lots will be built or expanded at Mary Dunn Road, Higgins Crowell Road and Bayberry Hills Golf Course to accommodate increased tourist traffic generated by these new trail additions.
Additionally, another trail extension is now under construction in Wellfleet from the Lecount Hollow Road trailhead to Mass DCR’s Wellfleet Hollow Campground near Oriole Lane. Please be aware that the Lecount Hollow parking lot is currently closed until October 2021 when said project is scheduled to finish.
Wellfleet Lecount Hollow Rd Extension updates
Friends of Cape Cod Rail Trail Facebook Group