Orleans committee hears cost estimates of up to $10 million for Beach Road path

ORLEANS -- February 3, 2026, Orleans residents clash over a proposed multi-use path on Beach Road, with cost estimates reaching $10 million. The Transportation and Bikeways Advisory Committee held a public community meeting February 3 on the midpoint findings of a feasibility study authorized by the May 2024 town meeting, which appropriated $85,000 for the work. Consultant Josh Conrody of VHB Engineering presented two alternatives, on-road bike lanes with a south-side sidewalk, and a shared-use path with a grass buffer, both estimated at $9 million to $10 million in construction costs, not including land acquisition; a sidewalk-only option attempting to stay within the existing 30-foot roadway carries a $4.2 million estimate. Deputy Director of Public Works Calvin Sutton, who oversaw the comparable Millstone Road shared-use path project in Brewster at roughly $10 million, urged the committee to consider a reduced-width design of 10-foot lanes, 2-foot shoulders, and a 6-foot sidewalk to limit property impacts. Scott Zenke of Doan Road called the process premature, arguing "this town does not take property through eminent domain," while Jo Bradbury of Mill Lane countered that "after someone is hurt or killed, it's way too late." Because Beach Road is not a laid-out road, the town's ownership legally extends only to the edge of existing pavement, meaning any widening requires private property acquisition.