Sudbury Officials Lay Groundwork For Town Walkway Prioritization Plan

SUDBURY, MA — Sudbury officials are laying the groundwork for a long-term plan to construct sidewalks and walkways across town.

Tina Rivard, Director of Public Works in Sudbury, outlined the Town Walkway Prioritization Plan during a Jan. 6 Select Board meeting. Sudbury has more than 160 miles of public roadways, but more than 100 of those miles lack walkways, according to Rivard.

Using a 2000 report, the DPW identified approximately 16 miles of proposed sidewalks throughout the town. In addition to other updates to the list, Rivard said construction prices have risen significantly since 2000.

"In today's cost for the 16 miles of roadways that were proposed back in 2000, it would cost over $27 million to construct," said Rivard during the meeting. She added it would be around $300 per linear foot of construction.

The department takes into account several considerations when determining which projects the town should prioritize, including roadway connectivity, the Americans with Disabilities Act, existing roadway layouts, and easement acquisitions, among other factors.

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Rivard highlighted two projects under review at Marlboro Road and Old Lancaster Road.

A proposed walkway along Marlboro Road would be constructed along the length of the roadway. The project, estimated at $2.2 million, would connect to existing walkways near Meehan Field and Haynes Field.

Another proposed walkway on Old Lancaster Road would run 3,700 feet from Goodman’s Hill Road to Concord Road. The project, estimated at $1.1 million, would be near Goodnow Library.

Other potential projects could take place on Concord Road, Dakin Road, Dudley Road, Dutton Road, Goodman's Hill Road, Haynes Road, Pantry Road, Maynard Road, Moore Road, Mossman Road, Peakham Road, Powers Road, Puffer Lane, Old Sudbury Road, Union Ave and Willis Road.

You can find a complete list of proposed walkways here.

In addition to evaluating individual projects, the DPW is also working to update policies and plans. From now until March 2026, the department said it plans to finalize its sidewalk request policy, work with other town departments and revise Sudbury’s Complete Streets policy.

By March, Rivard said the DPW hopes to submit its finalized sidewalk request policy to the Select Board for approval and update the town’s Complete Streets and Transportation Improvement Plan to reflect this Town Walkway Prioritization Plan.

The DPW also plans to continue applying for grant funding, providing the Select Board with annual progress updates and updating the town’s sidewalk map each year to reflect completed projects.

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