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Current Announcements |
| Date: |
Announcement: |
| Sept 25th '05 | A Grand Opening was held for the first phase of the Assabet River Rail Trail between Marlboro and Hudson. A few minor difficulties still need to be worked out such as a good line of sight for motorists at the crossing of Ash St in Marlboro, and the final completion of a grandly restored bridge over the Assabet River in Hudson. The trail is proving very popular judging by the comments of both trail abutters and users. | ||
| June 2005 | Representatives from Framingham and Sudbury met recently with CSX to discuss various options for the Towns gaining control over and access rights for the proposed Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (BFRT) right of way south of Route 20. Now that the rails are gone, motorcyclists and ATV users are beginning to pose a nuisance and safety hazard. The State sponsored feasibility study of this trail section is nearing completion. | ||
| June 16, 2005 | Representatives
from the engineering firm of Fay, Spoffard & Thorndike presented the
preliminary results of an Environmental & Engineering Assessment Study for
the three & one-half miles of the Bruce Freeman Trail proposed for Concord,
MA.
Approximately 60-70 people were in attendance, including some who live near White Pond and were concerned about teenagers continued use of the right-of-way to access the pond for swimming. Crowded conditions such as found on the Minuteman Trail, were another source of concern however it was pointed out that a much better comparison would be to the Nashua River Rail Trail in Ayer which is more like the Concord area. |
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| May 2005 | A last minute
review of the plans for Bruce Freeman Phase 1 has resulted in some
recommendations that will delay the start of construction till
spring of 2006. Construction of this 7 mile initial section from the
Gross Point Towers south to Rte 225 in Westford will take two years.
The design had been configured to have a great deal of soil removed to a landfill; while the changes will leave most of that soil in place, covered over with a layer of ballast and then paved with asphalt. New plans must be drawn to reflect this, and the job resubmitted for bid. The wetlands impact and calculated flooding will remain unchanged however so that no re-permitting will be needed. It is expected that several million dollars will be saved by this change. |
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| April 2005 | Sudbury Town Meeting approved the spending of $25,000 for a feasibility study of the section of the Bruce Freeman Trail north of Rte 20 up to the Concord Town line. Issues to be addressed according to the Town Crier, include trail maintenance cost, trash cleanup, security and privacy for neighbors, motorized vehicles and consistency with the Town's character. | ||
| Aug 19, 2004 | The Framingham
Selectmen met and received a presentation and report from the [Nobscott]
Rail Trail Task Force, chaired by John Stasik. The Report and presentation
were in favor of the proposed trail but also noted some potential areas of
concern that should be further studied and addressed to alleviate concerns
of abutters. Brian Blair, a member of the task force, also handed in what he
called a 'Minority Report' which elaborated on these concerns and spoke
against the trail. Following the presentation the Task Force was disbanded. The next step is for Commonwealth to conduct a feasibility study of the project, and also do a title search of the land involved. This should be completed in the next several months, followed by additional opportunity for public comment. |
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| Sept 20, 2003 | A groundbreaking
ceremony was held recently at the Hudson Town Hall for the
Assabet River Rail Trail. The 12.5 mile long paved trail will
eventually go from Marlboro, through Hudson, Stow and Maynard to the
commuter rail station in South Acton. According to a story in the
MetroWest Daily News, the project will be paid for with a three million
dollar grant from the Massachusetts Area Planning Council.
Work will begin this month in Marlboro and then continue northward into Hudson. The trail is scheduled to be finished in a year and a half. |
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| Sept 4, 2003 | The full U.S. House of Representatives has
passed the Petri-Olver Amendment to the Transportation Appropriations bill
(HR 2989) which restored fiscal year funding for such transportation
enhancements as Rail Trails. This funding had been removed from the
bill in the House Appropriations Committee. The vote was327 to 90 and reflected the strong bipartisan public support of this program which came into being to provide quality of life, and scenic improvements to enhance the simple ability to get from place A to place B. A program which in the words of one Congressman, served to ensure that there would be "something worthwhile to see when you got there." It was also pointed out during the preceding debate, that only one percent of federal gasoline tax dollars are currently spent on non motorized 'enhancements' to the transportation system, while approximately seven percent of trips in the United States are by walking, bicycling, or other non-motorized transportation. |