During the last week of May, the on-road bike route connecting the Blackstone River Bikeway to the East Bay Bike Path was installed. This has been a cooperative effort, led by the City of Pawtucket's Planning Department, with each municipality actively involved in the final design and placement decisions of the on-road sharrows. In conjunction with this project, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation is going to bid on their portion (parts 1B and 2) of the Blackstone Valley Bikeway which will include bike lanes and on road markings in Providence and Pawtucket.  The RIDOT section should begin construction in 2011.  Together, the finished on-road connection and RIDOT phase 1B and 2 will link the East Bay Bike Path and Blackstone Valley bikeway. This on-road route improves connectivity and increases bicycling infrastructure in our region, positively impacting our community by encouraging economic development, promoting healthy lifestyles, and reducing reliance on cars. 

            Because of its direct route and ease of access, this path is envisioned to be used as both a link for bike commuters and a recreational route for people of all ages in the bicycling community as it provides access the bikeways located just north and south of the Bikeway Connector. While the route will be used for recreation, it is also envisioned to be used as a temporary form of alternative transportation. We hope that the Bikeway Connector will be the start of a green economy in which cyclists will travel the entire length of the bike routes and patronize local establishments. The finished route will connect cyclists to restaurants, commercial districts, parks, schools, and universities. This will be an asset for commuters in that it provides a direct, yet safe, link for a person to bicycle to downtown Pawtucket, the Town Hall in Cumberland, multiple commercial centers in Providence, and a commercial corridor in Central Falls. These are places that are used for work, play, shopping, and recreation by residents and visitors alike.

            This on-road route will increase economic development in the region and will be a valuable resource that will benefit residents, merchants, and the region as a whole. The project has been sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, the City of Pawtucket, Keepspace, RI Office of Energy Resources, and the John H Chaffee Blackstone River Valley Heritage Corridor.