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 Freeman Rail 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 Last study initiated in Concept Committee convened in 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 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 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 if another project falters or funding improves.

Strong Sudbury Support for BFRT Rail-trail-related articles passed at Town Meeting. 2005Engineering and environmental assessment 2007Title search 2007Wildlife study 2007Survey and wetland delineation 2008 Purchase of CSX corridor 2009Funding to support concept plan Petition Results Over 200 signatures and comments

Thank You Tom Michelman – President (c)