Phase one of the Bruce Freeman trail extends approx 10 miles from the former Wang Towers on Rte 495 south along Rte 27 through Chelmsford and Westford to the intersection with Rte 225 near the Westford-Carlisle line.  As of July 24, 2003 the phase one section is in the bidding stage with sealed bids being opened in November, construction to start in the spring.  (Pictures)  

Phase two of the Bruce Freeman trail extends approx 15 miles south from Rte 225 along Rte 27 through Acton to Rte 2A, which it then follows south to a Rte 2 crossing point, located just west of the Concord Rotary.  The phase two section continues south through the village of West Concord, crossing an active commuter-rail line, Main St (Rte 62), and the Assabet River.   The Assabet River bridge was removed by the town of Concord several years ago after a swimming death, and its loss effectively divides phase two into a 7 miles northern section and an 8 mile southern section.

The southern section crosses Old Marlboro Rd near Meadow Ridge Rd, and continues South  through the New England countryside towards Sudbury.  The path crosses Rte 117 beside Windmill Drive, and Rte 27 next to Peakham Rd.  Just north of Rte 20, it crosses the abandoned Mid State Railroad at RR Station Rd.   (see Pictures)  Parts of this abandoned line which extends from Waltham west to Northampton, MA are being planned as the Mass Central Rail Trail.  A nearby section is also known as the Wayside Rail Trail.

Phase three (5 miles) is the shortest of the three parts (See Map).  Also known locally as the Nobscott Trail, this section begins next to Friendly's Restaurant at Sudbury Crossing where the railroad crosses Rte 20, and continues south along the east side of Edgell Road.  It passes near the Garden in the Woods and the back yards of homes on Nob Hill Drive, Merrill Drive, Hemenway, and Apple D'ore Roads.   It crosses Water Street near Hemmenway School, and then passes near subdivisions on Whiting Road, Montgomery, and Lomas Drives before crossing Frost Street and Edgell Road again.

       West of Edgell Road the trail crosses Pine Lane near Ruthellen Road, and then crosses Belknap at grade, followed by both Grove Street and the Mass Turnpike on overpasses.  Phase three ends about 100 yards south of Pleasant Street (Rte 30) where the right of way once joined with a still active rail going west along the Mass Turnpike, and eventually into Northboro.  (See Pictures) 

       This section is the most recently abandoned part of the right of way.  The rails were still being used until the Spring of 2000 when rotted cross ties caused a train derailment (Pictures) and the eventual abandonment of the spur by the railroad.

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