The City of Westfield has earned the prestigious 2024 Public Works Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association (APWA) for its Columbia Greenway Rail Trail.
WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The City of Westfield has earned the prestigious 2024 Public Works Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association (APWA) for its Columbia Greenway Rail Trail.
The award was presented in the Historical Restoration/Preservation category for projects valued between $5 million and $25 million. This recognition highlights the city’s commitment to preserving history while enhancing infrastructure.
The Columbia Greenway Rail Trail stretches 3.1 miles from the Westfield River to the Southwick border and is an integral part of Westfield’s active transportation network. The trail connects with Southwick and extends to New Haven, Connecticut, as part of the larger New Haven & Northampton Canal Greenway. It follows the historic path of the New York/New Haven/Hartford Railroad, which served the region for over two centuries.
The multi-phase project began in 2012 and was completed in 2023, featuring nine bridges, including six new and three rehabilitated truss bridges, and a tunnel. Additional features of the trail include safety lighting, access ramps, landscaping, and a permeable parking lot.
Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe expressed pride in the city’s achievement. “This project is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of many hands,” he said. “We are grateful for the efforts of various departments and organizations that brought this beautiful rail trail to life while honoring Westfield’s history.”
City officials, including McCabe, Acting Superintendent of the Department of Public Works Fran Cain, and City Engineer Allison McMordie, accepted the award at the Public Works Expo in Atlanta on September 9.
The APWA Public Works Project of the Year Award honors publicly developed infrastructure projects that exemplify excellence in construction management and administration. Westfield’s Columbia Greenway Rail Trail was recognized for its historical significance, enhancing both the region’s transportation system and its cultural legacy.
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