Ashfield Road Reconstruction and Culvert Replacement

Challenge

Ashfield Road, a historic and scenic dirt road, is a vital route for Hawley residents, mutual aid responders, farmers, and logging operations. Heavy vehicle use and soft subgrades caused deep, muddy ruts that made the road impassable in winter, while a deteriorated corrugated metal pipe culvert conveying a small unnamed brook beneath the road was near failure. The Town’s limited budget prevented reconstruction of the roadway and culvert.

Solution

GZA staff conducted a site visit to observe the roadway and characterize and delineate the wetland resource areas, including the brook. GZA also met with Town representatives to discuss project priorities, which included preserving the roadway’s rural character while improving serviceability and safety. GZA prepared engineering design drawings and construction cost estimates for roadway reconstruction and culvert replacement, meeting Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards. The roadway design incorporated locally available stone materials with high-performance geosynthetics to improve serviceability. GZA also helped the Town prepare grant funding applications for the projects, prepare permit filings with the local Conservation Commission and MassDEP, and interface with abutting residents affected by planned construction activities. GZA also provided construction phase services.

Benefit

Working closely with the Town, GZA prepared simple, cost-effective design solutions which maximized the use of Town crews and equipment as “in-kind” services the local-match requirement for grant funding. This approach enabled the project to be built on-time and under budget. The improved roadway now remains open year-round, providing safer, more reliable access for residents, visitors and emergency responders.