Bringing our Expertise to Bike Trails Throughout the Commonwealth
October 1st, 2018
Towns and cities have been taking advantage of old railroad right-of-way’s by extending them and creating bike trails that are connecting communities across the Commonwealth. People can use these to ride, run, or walk in a safe place away from roadways, benefitting individuals as well as the wider communities the trails serve. Epsilon has been providing permitting support for numerous bike trails throughout the state. These include:
- The Neponset River Greenway Corridor Completion Project. A bicycle and pedestrian route that links urban and suburban communities along the river, from Blue Hill Ave in Mattapan to Central Avenue in Milton. This included two new bridges, a canopy walk by the MBTA station, and a new bridge over the Neponset River connecting the Ryan Playground with the Greenway. Epsilon provided support with natural resource mapping and securing extensive project approvals.
- Neponset River Greenway Segment 3 - Victory Road to Morrissey Boulevard. This segment brings an additional section to the bicycle and pedestrian route in Dorchester including a boardwalk over a salt marsh. Epsilon provided natural resource mapping and worked on securing project approvals.
- Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. This trail extends through the communities of Lowell, Chelmsford, Westford, Carlisle, Acton, Concord, Sudbury, and Framingham—following the 25-mile route of the old New Haven Railroad Framingham and Lowell line. Epsilon led the environmental monitoring efforts during the construction of the second portion of the trail, a 4.9-mile segment through Westford, Carlisle, and Acton, which opened in April 2018.
- Draw Seven State Park Pathway Extension. A new shared use path along the Mystic River, built in cooperation with the MBTA, connects Draw Seven Park and Assembly Square T Station in Somerville and neighboring communities with Sullivan Square in Boston. Epsilon assisted with the permitting efforts for the multi-use pathway that included leading the Chapter 91 Waterways License process.
- Norwottuck Rail Trail Bridge. An 11-mile path linking Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst along the former Boston & Main Railroad right-of-way. Rehabilitation efforts involved replacement of the bridge deck and railings to make sure it was safe for use. Epsilon provided environmental permitting services associated with the rehabilitation of the Norwottuck Rail Trail Bridge in Northampton and Hadley.