Bring the Trail to Sudbury: Vision & Offer

Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

September 22, 2011

Rail Trail Conversion Advisory Committee Meeting

Overview

Design and construction funds for the rail trail to Sudbury’s doorstep are programmed.

0.5-mile extension south to Route 117 is an attractive next step.

Friends of the BFRT propose to raise private funds for the 25% design of the extension.

We seek the Town’s commitment to accept the funds.

Bruce FreemanRail Trail Map

PHASE 1: 7.5 miles from Lowell - Cross Point Towers through Chelmsford to Rte. 225 and Rte. 27 in Westford

PHASE 2: 13 miles from Westford through Carlisle, Acton, Concord, to Rte. 20 in Sudbury

PHASE 3: 4.5 miles from Rte. 20 in Sudbury to Rte. 9 in Framingham

Trail Status in Sudbury

RTCAC formed in 2004. Last study initiated in 2007.

Concept Committee convened in 2009. To date, no “concept” issued.

Many issues have slowed progress down and/or have made decision-making difficult. But,… many of these issues are minimized or do not exist for

the proposed 0.5-mile extension into Sudbury from the Concord border to Rt. 117 / North Road.

Proposed 0.5-Mile Extension From Concord/Sudbury town line

south to and across Rt. 117.

Connect to sidewalk and Davis Field parking.

Provide access to 17 miles of trail to the north. If not built, nearest parking will

be in West Concord. Single residential and single

commercial abutter.

No endangered species or rare wildlife habitat.

Route 117/North Road Crossing

N

Windmill Dr.

Davis Conservation& Recreation Areas

Sidewalk Under Construction along Route 117/North Road

Benefits to Sudbury

Provides safe access by Sudbury residents to the BFRT by sidewalk and/or parking at Davis Field.

Concord will defer construction (but not design) south of Powder Mill Road until Sudbury constructs a portion of the BFRT.

In this scenario, no parking at southern terminus for trail users.

Access to trail would be parking in West Concord or by foot or bike via curvy hilly Dakin Road.

Sudbury can “test the waters”, but still make progress.

FBFRT Vision and Offer

FBFRT fundraises for $50,000 initial (25%) design.

Includes submission of PIF & PNF. Could include donation for staff hours

Design adheres to MassDOT shared-use-path guidelines.

As Concord, Acton, Carlisle, and Westford are doing for BFRT Phase 2.

Final Design

If Sudbury chose to go ahead with final design, Sudbury’s financial responsibility (~$60,000 to $80,000) could be funded with a combination of: CPA funds Fund-raising

State and Federal funds would pay for construction.

Request

The BOS makes the BFRT Sudbury Extension a short-term priority and approves moving forward with 25% design via MassDOT guidelines contingent upon FBFRT fund-raising. FBFRT will donate $5,000 down payment on BOS approval.

If not acceptable, the FBFRT desires to engage in a dialogue of what type of extension and offer would be acceptable.

Backup slides

GIS Information

Management Alternatives

Managed by Town Staff.

Managed by RTCAC. As was done for the Engineering and

Environmental Assessment.

Managed by Acton (for post 25% design) Project could be added to multi-town effort to

the north with Acton as lead town.

Construction paid for with State and Federal Funds

Long-range transportation plan includes BFRT Phase 2 in the 2021-2025 time slot. The budget allocated did include the Sudbury portion, and

will have to be re-inserted. Of course, if not approved and designed, it will not be built.

Acton is the lead town for Phases 2A & 2C, and could be for the Sudbury Extension.

BFRT could be constructed earlier than 2021-2025 if another project falters or funding improves.

Strong Sudbury Support for BFRT

Rail-trail-related articles passed at Town Meeting. 2005 Engineering and environmental assessment 2007 Title search 2007 Wildlife study 2007 Survey and wetland delineation 2008 Purchase of CSX corridor 2009 Funding to support concept plan

Petition Results Over 200 signatures and comments

Thank You

http://www.brucefreemanrailtrail.org/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brucefreeman/ info@brucefreemanrailtrail.org

Tom Michelman – President (c) 978-580-6190