Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts will close a portion of the Nauset Bike Path this spring for the first of two phases of rehabilitation and safety improvements.

The section of the trail between Tomahawk Trail and Coast Guard Beach will be closed from April 24th to May 24th for construction. During this period pedestrians and bikes will be prohibited from using this section of the trail.

The Nauset Bike Path is a steep, 6-8 foot-wide twisting route that was constructed in the 1960s to the standards of the day. The old bike trail asphalt will be recycled and mixed in with new asphalt and laid down in the same alignment but with a 10-foot width where possible, sharp curves will be alleviated, and site visibility will be improved. Areas of poor drainage will be raised and side slopes will be stabilized.

Detour signs and informational maps will be in place prior to the start of construction.

Phase One of the project will be completed and open for public use by Memorial Day. The contractor will suspend construction during the summer months and will return in the fall to rehabilitate the stretch of the trail from the Salt Pond Visitor Center to Tomahawk Trail.

The project has been funded by the Paul Sarbanes Transit in the Parks (TRIP) program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration.

Superintendent George Price said that there is never a good time to close a popular bike path such as the Nauset Bike Trail and apologized for any inconvenience.

"We worked with this contractor on several other projects, including the Province Lands Bike Path, and we have confidence that they will deliver a quality project. This is a good opportunity to have the work done and will be a great benefit to those visiting the area this summer," said the superintendent.