Signs will guide travelers on a new Route 7, for bicyclists

SALISBURY — Motorists and bicyclists in the Northwest Corner may soon see signs that indicate they are on U.S. Bicycle Route 7 (USBR7), a new cycling route that runs parallel to U.S. Route 7, from Norwalk, Conn., to the Canadian border with Vermont.

The route was designated in 2016, with support from Northwest Corner towns.

It is part of the Western New England Greenway, which connects two of the largest bikeways in North America: The East Coast Greenway and La Route Verte.

The Greenway connects New York City to Montreal, and runs through western Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. It is a combination of dedicated trails and on-road routes suitable for long-distance cycling.

About 80% of the Greenway is on-road, utilizing roads with lower speed limits and less traffic than major highways.

Dan Bolognani, executive director of the federal Upper Housatonic National Heritage Area asked the members of the Northwest Hills Council of Governments for their assistance in putting up the USBR7 signs at the group’s Feb. 10 meeting. The Council of governments is made up of the first selectmen from 21 area towns.

The signs are paid for, Bolognani said, but Housatonic Heritage is asking for help from town crews to put them up.

“Installation is a big cost that we don’t have budgeted right now — so town assistance on this part of the job would be amazing,” he said in an interview Feb. 15.

Each sign (including the cost of the post and the different parts and materials) costs about $80, Bolognani said, but installation can double that cost.

With approximately 236 signs to put up, Bolognani said he hopes the same towns that helped with the designation of USBR7 will be receptive to helping install the signs.

Go to www.housatonicheritage.org for more information.