New Section Of Assabet River Rail Trail Opens

ACTON, MA—More than three miles have been added to a multi-use trail along the Assabet River.

Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack today joined Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, elected officials, municipal leaders, MassDOT staff, rail trail advocates and members of the public for a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the completion of the latest segment of the Assabet River Rail Trail in Acton and Maynard.

Through this project, 3.4 miles of new multi-use rail trail were constructed, and bridges at Tobin Park in Maynard and Mill Pond in Acton were replaced, said the announcement. This rail trail links the downtown Maynard business district with the South Acton MBTA Commuter Rail Station and the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, providing an alternative transportation option for people throughout these communities. The first 4 mile phase of the trail from Marlboro to Hudson was completed in 2005.

“MassDOT is pleased to have completed this new section of the Assabet River Rail Trail so that people in these local neighborhoods can bike, walk, or use other active forms of transportation to reach the places they need to be,” said Pollack in a statement. “By strengthening our trails network, we can provide more options for travelers, better connect people to transit services, promote healthy and environmentally friendly forms of transportation, and allow residents and commuters to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Commonwealth.”

Construction activities began in 2016 and included constructing a 12-foot wide paved surface with two-foot shoulders, installing traffic control measures at roadway crossings, replacing existing bridges in Acton and Maynard, and installing new boardwalk in Acton.

Since 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has constructed or funded 150 miles of paved trails, adding to the current statewide inventory of 565 miles of paved trails. Over 30 miles of trails spanning over a dozen projects are currently expected to be completed across the Commonwealth in 2018.

Photo Credit: MassDOT