HADLEY — Daily commutes from Amherst to Northampton on the Norwottuck Rail Trail have become a bit more difficult this week for bicyclists like Michael Ireland of Amherst, who initially found the closure of a section of the path behind the Mountain Farms Mall and through a tunnel below Route 9 problematic.

By Thursday, though, with the assistance of a detail police officer working near the tunnel, Ireland, as he was returning from Northampton, was directed onto Mill Valley Road, riding along that to get back to South Maple Street to reconnect to the rail trail — what he called a reasonably safe option.

“Ultimately I appreciate, as I am sure other cyclists do, that the work is being done to repair and maintain the path and tunnel,” Ireland wrote in an email to the Gazette. “Well worth the short-term challenge.”

The tunnel is expected to be closed until Oct. 6 as part of the state Department of Transportation’s ongoing widening project of the state highway. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is also closing an extended segment of the trail, from the tunnel running east toward South Maple Street, so pavement cracks can be repaired.

Like Ireland, Erik Bell, also of Amherst, is a regular on the rail trail to get to and from work.

“When roads are blocked for repairs, motor vehicles are given detours. Why are trail users being told to figure it out for themselves?” Bell asked.

That isn’t supposed to be the case, said state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, who said she has met with officials from both MassDOT and the DCR.

“I have received assurances that alternate route signage would be posted,” Comerford said.

Comerford said she would be back in touch again to make sure the “closed” signs are supplemented with additional directions.

“The work has to get done, and people have to stay safe and have a viable alternate route in the process,” Comerford said.

The Norwottuck Rail Trail run as far east as Belchertown and also connects to the Northampton Bikeway and the Manhan Rail Trail to Easthampton, giving walkers and bicyclists a safe means of getting around the region.

Bell said the far eastern section of the rail trail, which had been closed for resurfacing between Station Road in Amherst and Warren Wright Road in Belchertown since the spring, has remained closed.

The closure of the busiest section, though, comes at a time when more people are using the rail trail.

“I appreciate efforts being made to keep the trail in top shape,” Bell said. “But did it really have to occur during the peak time of the entire calendar year for cyclists and pedestrians?”

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>