Part of Long Beach walkway closed for construction

NAHAHT – Runners, walkers and cyclists who frequent the paths between the beach and parking lot along Long Beach will be short some mileage in the coming months.Department of Conservation and Recreation Resident Engineer James Caputo reported that a portion of the walkway, from the Tides Restaurant to about 250 feet down, will be closed for construction until further notice.?We?re taking the opportunity of the cold weather to do it as opposed to the spring when a lot of people walk there,” said Caputo. “We have to do this, we might as well pick less walked-on times.”Unfortunately for those Caputo labeled “the hardcore people,” who walk the area in every kind of weather, the parking lot will also be closed off for construction at the same time.Caputo said this particular work was always a planned stage in the project, but it makes sense to focus on the pathways work now because it isn?t “weather-sensitive,” keeping the momentum going instead of halting for winter storms.Caputo couldn?t promise an end date for the pathway?s closure, but said due to the “great group of guys” under new contractors, the project is on track to finish at the end of May.He added the road is “100 percent done,” with construction now mostly in the parking lot.?We?re doing really well,” said Caputo. “The people who see this project every day say they can really see a difference.”Caputo said he would notify The Daily Item when the 250 feet of path is open again.