On May 30th, 2023, MassDOT (Department of Transportation) introduced a new interactive map showcasing their vision for an expanded future bike trail network in Massachusetts. These visions include extending two trails and adding a new trail in Concord (sadly, no new trails were listed in Carlisle). All three of these improvements are listed as MassDOT priorities. If these trails are built, Concord residents will have more freedom to choose a mode of transportation. Additionally, these trails would encourage the community to spend more time outdoors and in that regard, could reduce town carbon emissions.
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Extension (Expansion Under Construction)
The long-awaited extension of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, which acts as an artery in West Concord, will go from West Concord to Sudbury. Many middle schoolers (including yours truly back in 2021!) use it to get to and from school. Currently, the path goes north to Chelmsford and stops in Concord. At present, it is being expanded to reach Sudbury’s town center. While not officially open, the expansion is almost complete, entirely paved, and is used by locals.
The trail goes through Sudbury’s historic town center and ends in Sudbury’s “real” town center. There are also plans to extend the Bruce Freeman further south to Framingham, but the earliest construction is not set to start until 2029, unfortunately rather irrelevant for many current CCHS students who will likely be away in college or elsewhere at this time. What is interesting, though, is the fact that the Sudbury end of the BFRT will connect to the Mass Central Rail Trail, which is currently under construction. When finished, the Mass Central Rail Trail will go from Boston all the way to Northampton!
Reformatory Branch Trail Extension (“Envisioned”)
This “envisioned” trail extension is the most exciting for Concord residents, as it plans to finally connect West Concord and Concord Center with a bike path. This plan builds off of the current bike trail that connects Concord Center to Cambridge/Boston.
While its implementation will be welcomed by many, it unfortunately will not be the most efficient for utilitarian riders, given that it will go north of West Concord and Concord Center. This route will meander around the Assabet River and not be a direct route to the school. As a result, the trail would be very long and not truly connect the hubs in a way that would be most beneficial for those seeking to use it for commuting purposes to school.
Additionally, the current envisioned route squeezes the trail between the backyards of Assabet Ave and Grove St residents, a move sure to raise resident opposition.
A much more efficient route for the trail link for those seeking a quicker connecting route is proposed in the next trail, the Assabet-Freeman Connector, which would go parallel to the Commuter Rail train tracks. If the trail was built parallel to the train tracks, it might be used more by students and other people who wish to commute between West Concord and Concord by using a more timely, albeit less scenic, route. The main challenge with this plan would be attempting to get the trail from Concord Center to the current trailhead on Lowell Road. Additionally, the train tracks are pretty close to people’s homes, which could again complicate the passing of this proposal.
The current envisioned route for the Reformatory Branch Trail Extension runs next to the now-closed MCI-Concord prison. As plans for the use of the MCI-Concord land move forward, perhaps we will hear updates concerning this trail.
Assabet-Freeman Connector Rail Trail (“Envisioned”)
As its name implies, this route would connect the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail to the Assabet River Rail Trail (currently running from South Acton to Marlborough, with a gap between southern Stowe and northern Hudson). This route would parallel the Commuter Rail train tracks between West Concord and South Acton stations, right next to the WR Grace Superfund Site, where chemical plants used to be operated and is now a Superfund site. Superfund sites are contaminated places in the USA that the EPA is currently cleaning up. There is currently a walking trail running parallel to the train tracks for a portion of the proposed route.
It seems this connector trail wouldn’t need too much work for construction to start, as the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) owns all of the land, and similar trails are present running next to Commuter Rail lines in Massachusetts.
Hopefully, these trails will be built for all Concord residents to enjoy. A connection between West Concord and Concord Center would be wonderful, but sadly, it is the least likely of these three trails to happen. Then again, any progress is good progress, and it’s wonderful to see the state is seriously considering building these trails.
i • Nov 26, 2024 at 11:05 am
good job 🙂