We welcome the $200,000 EPA Grant to help clear the area alongside the railroad tracks that runs from Manchester Street to Water Street in Lawrence. A 1.4 miles-long stretch almost parallel to Broadway (Route 28).
Since the area belongs to Pan Am and they are willing to have their rails removed and transform the area into a passive recreation and open space, we believe that other possibilities are worth it to explore.
Since we moved into the city, over 25 years ago, we have seen the Spicket River overflow twice leaving an extensive area under water for days and causing millions of dollars in lost of property.
We are no engineers, but now that Pan Am is not in the way, we strongly believed that the idea of building a deep canal than later can be covered and use the top for walking, bicycling, skating and all kind of recreation should be explore.
The canal should be used only when the Spicket River is about to go over its boundaries, forcing its waters to go directly into the Merrimack River instead of going rushing into the lowest portions of the city.
Cost in dollars? For sure more than the $200.000 we just received from EPA, but the savings in human lives, property and suffering is priceless.
