Major Attractions

Blackstone Valley Bicycle Path Front Street, Lincoln Phone: (401) 723-7892 Fax: (401) 724-7951 www.riparks.com/blacksto.htm Bike Tour Packages

Bicycle Tour Packages

Download Bike Map

Quick Facts

Location From Lincoln: on the Towpath along the Blackstone Canal through Woonsocket to the Massachusetts state border. Directions North from Providence: 1. I-95 North to Route 146 in Providence; 2. Route 146 North to Breakneck Hill Road (approximately 5 miles); 3. East on Breakneck Hill Road (Route 123) (approximately 2.5 miles); 4. Enter Bikeway Entrance on left on Route 123 in Lonsdale South from I-295: 1. Exit 9 on I-295, South on Route 146 (approximately 3 miles to Breakneck Hill Road ); 2. East on Breakneck Hill Road (Route 123) (approximately 2.5 miles); 3. Enter Bikeway Entrance on left off Route 123 in Lonsdale.

The Blackstone River Bikeway is scheduled to be a 17.1 mile by 12-foot wide scenic bike-path under construction by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). The bikeway which will eventually link with a series of connecting bike-paths stretching from Florida to Maine into what is called the East Coast Greenway, is expected to spark the interest of outdoor enthusiasts to bike, jog, walk, cross country ski and inline skate along the path.

Also, the southern end of the Blackstone River Bikeway will eventually link to the popular East Bay Bike Path, making a continuous 31.9 mile route for alternative transportation.

Construction Phases

PHASE 1-Segment 5: Opened in October of 1998: 3.3 miles of bikeway mainly on the Blackstone Canal Towpath berm running from Front Street, near Lonsdale Avenue to a parking area near Route 116 (George Washington Highway). This is a wooded tour of the Blackstone, including historic sites from circa.1830 Blackstone canal.

Segment 5 includes three new bridges, retaining walls along the Towpath and new entrances off of Routes 116 and 123 with parking and landscaping. One lot, off Front Street, will accommodate 51 cars. Another is off route 116, next to the Ashton Viaduct.

This part of the bikeway will be close to existing facilities in Lincoln Woods State Park including the 3.0 mile bicycling loop around Olney Pond, restrooms, swimming, and hiking trails. The bikeway will also connect to walking trails in the Blackstone River State Park where additional parking is available and pass directly by the historic Wilbur Kelly House in Quinnville, which will be open for information and exhibits.

PHASE 2-Segments 6&7: Completion date-years 1999 & 2000: The next construction of the Path will be 6.1 miles and pick-up at Route 116 in Quinnville and head north along the river to Manville.

Segment 6 began construction in the year 1998, while Segment 7 will start construction in October 1999.

PHASE 3-Segment 8: Completion date-year 2002: This segment consisting of 3.6 miles that will travel from Manville Hill Road at the Lincoln-Cumberland line to Davidson street in Woonsocket and on to the Massachusetts state border, still following the Blackstone River. Construction will begin in October 2001.

PHASE 4-Segment 3&4: Completion date-year 2001: This part of the bikeway is 4.9 miles in length and will follow a path from downtown Pawtucket to the Blackstone Canal Towpath with construction beginning in October, 2000. This final spur will bring the path up to River Island Park, a major destination of the planned route.

Size:

Segment 5: Lincoln: on the Towpath along the Blackstone Canal. Opened in 1998: 3.3 miles

Segment 6: P & W Railroad: Cumberland, and Lincoln. Construction started in1998: 3.0 miles

Segment 7: P & W Railroad: Lincoln, N. Smithfield, and Woonsocket. Construction to begin in1999: 3.1 miles

Segment 3&4:Downtown Pawtucket to Blackstone Canal Towpath. Construction to begin in 2000: 4.1 miles

Segment 8 Through Woonsocket to the Massachusetts state border. Construction to begin in 2001: 3.6 miles

Bicycle Tour Packages | Download Bike Map
Back to Major Attractions | Back to Parks | Back to Sports