Phase 1 of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is built and open (Lowell, Chelmsford & Westford, MA). Much of Phase 2 (Westford, Carlisle, Acton and Concord, MA) has great local support and finished with preliminary design. The hold-up is funding to finishing design and construction.
Specifically and technically to provide public comments to the Boston Region MPO's draft amendment to the JOURNEY TO 2030 Regional Transportation Plan and its draft federal fiscal years (FFYs) 2010-2013 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), for which public comment will close at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, September 22, 2009. See http://www.bostonmpo.org/bostonmpo/index.html
Background:
Whereas the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (BFRT) is a proposed 25 mile multi-modal trail reusing a dormant railroad line from Lowell, through Chelmsford, Westford, Carlisle, Acton, Concord, Sudbury to Framingham for safe, non-motorized transportation.
Whereas Phase 1 (6.8 miles) of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is constructed and open from Lowell, through Chelmsford, and most of Westford.
Whereas Phase 2A (Westford, Carlisle and Acton) and 2C (Concord) have been included in the Draft amendment to the Regional Transportation Plan, JOURNEY TO 2030 (http://www.ctps.org/bostonmpo/6_get_involved/3_current_outreach_activities/draft.html) for the timeslot 2021-2025, and we very much appreciate inclusion in the plan.
Whereas the BFRT has overwhelming support in the Phase 2A and 2C towns and of its local and state legislator support, and approximately $1,000,000 of local funds have already been spent on the feasibility studies and preliminary design on Phases 2A and 2C.
Whereas Phase 2A's 25% design has been approved by MassHighway, and Phase 2C's 25% design has been submitted to MassHighway and public hearing complete.
Whereas Phase 2B (Acton / Concord) is currently being designed as part of the Route 2 Rotary Reconstruction project.
Whereas transportation enhancement projects (including rail trails) historically have been underfunded by Massachusetts as compared to other states and federal policy guidelines.
Whereas, a unanimous vote at the September 24, 2008 State Transportation Enhancement Steering Committee recommended the Secretary of Transportation allocate Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program funds for Phases 2A and 2C of the BFRT through 100% design.
Whereas the faster the remaining phases are completed the greater the opportunity for citizens in our region to have a safe, off-road transportation alternative to connect to public transportation (e.g., West Concord MBTA station), local businesses, schools, senior centers, recreation areas, etc.
Request:
We, the undersigned, request the members of the Boston MPO and its Transportation Planning and Programming Committee to make the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (and other enhancement projects) a higher priority and provide funding to advance the design and construction of the remaining segments of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in as short a time frame as possible: These requested actions include:
Moving the construction of the Phases 2A and 2C to an earlier timeslot (either the 2010 to 2015 or the 2015 to 2020 timeslot).
Working with the FHWA to clarify and make available the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program funds already recommended by the State Transportation Enhancement Steering Committee for the BFRT.
Thank you for your consideration in this important matter.
