Assabet River Trail (ARRT)

For this 12-mile bike and pedestrian trail from Marlborough to South Acton, Planning Department efforts currently focus on completing the design of the Acton-Maynard section. Design is presently halted at the 10% level (funded with CPA dollars) and is now awaiting Boston MPO and FHWA action to release federal earmarks that will fund continuation of design efforts to bring the project to a construction ready state.

Planning Department work at this juncture involves political lobbying to secure release of the earmarked funds. More generally, the project requires coordination with four other communities under an inter-municipal agreement, constant monitoring of regional transportation funding decisions and advocacy for the project, consultant oversight, coordination, and meetings with MassHighway, etc.

For more information on the AART, please contact the Planning Department at (978) 929-6631.

Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (BFRT)

For this more than 20-mile bike and pedestrian trail from Lowell to Framingham, Planning Department efforts currently focus on completing the 25% design stage of the Acton-Carlisle-Westford section (Acton's portion funded with CPA dollars). MassHighway held a 25% design public hearing at the end of October 2008.

In addition, energy is focused on securing additional design funding to get the project ready for construction. Planning Department work involves coordination with three other communities (Concord will join Acton, Carlisle, and Westford in the next design phase) under an inter-municipal agreement, constant monitoring of regional transportation funding decisions and advocacy for the project, consultant oversight, coordination, and meetings with MassHighway, etc.

Resources

Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and Assabet River Rail Trail Maps