Rail trail extension work from Webster Place (Holy Cross Road) to Gerrish Station in Boscawen began bright and early this week on Monday, November 12. Project leader Chris Norris kept a close eye on the process with RTP grant writer Nita Tomaszewski assisting. Ticket taking volunteers took shifts collecting the receipts for material from R.D. Edmunds & Sons truck drivers and will do so again each of the three days materials are delivered.

By 7:30 AM three trucks were lined up ready to go at the Webster Place entrance to the rail trail with our favorite grader driver Ed Carpenter (“Fast Eddie”) ready to follow and work the surface. Eddie is cat-like in his approach to spreading the granite dust mixture, a wonder to watch. Ed Hiller is reportedly chomping at the bit to get on that compactor, carrying the key around in his pocket. His turn comes up on Wednesday.

A rain delay was called cancelling Tuesday’s work but deliveries will resume on Wednesday, finishing up on Thursday. After that, more compacting will make the surface ready for immediate use. Please respect the new construction work by walking your horses and as usual, complying with the non-motorized vehicles rule, with an exception for snowmobiles when there is snow cover.

Prior to actual trail construction, the Franklin and Boscawen snow mobile clubs did a great job brushing back overgrowth on the trail sides.

There has been a lot of chatter and cheering on the FNRT facebook page. Visit it at facebook.com/FNRTNH.