The Transportation Bond Bill signed by Governor Deval Patrick is already yielding advantageous results. Out in the Boston suburb of Framingham on Thursday, Governor Patrick helped celebrate one of the positive consequences of the bill: a 1.4-mile long rail trail that also connects local businesses, transit routes and a proposed housing development.
The governor was joined by MassDOT Highway Administrator Frank DePaola for the groundbreaking of the Cochituate Rail Trail. The bike- and pedestrian-friendly path will extend from the town line it shares with Natick and link the development to the Natick Mall, TJX Corporate headquarter driveways and two MetroWest Regional Transit Authority bus routes.
The rail trail project is dually funded by the federal and state governments, 80 percent coming from the former and 20 percent from the latter, all due to the signage of the Transportation bond Bill back in April. The initiative valued at a cool $1.06 million.
“By connecting homes with business, retail and transit, the Cochituate Trail will provide a healthy option that boosts economic growth and enhances quality of life,” said Governor Patrick.
Breaking ground on the rail trail comes at a fitting time, in the thick of Bay State Bike Week, and is the perfect example of how the state is trying to make biking a more prominent mode of transportation.
Framingham won’t be the only Massachusetts locale to benefit from the bill. Another $500,000 will be allocated to Mattapan Square for, along with a slew of other infrastructure improvements, repainted bike lanes. A similar rail trail project spanning from Boston through Cambridge and into Somerville along the Grand Junction Railroad will be designed and built using a hefty $1.5 million bankroll. Bike and pedestrian paths along the Harbor Walk on the campus of UMass Boston will prosper from a massive $75 million investment.
More big-picture ventures will see loftier amounts of cash thrown their way. For general design, construction and repair of pedestrian, bike and multi-use pathways, the Commonwealth will dole out $377 million. Some $230 million will help fund ailing infrastructure statewide specific to bike and pedestrian throughways. Another $50 million will be allotted to Complete Streets certification, grants and safety incentives.
According to Governor Patrick’s Press Office, the town of Framingham has already completed grading and installed sewers along the trail and all that’s left is for paving with sidewalk construction, curbing, fences, bollards, benches, guard rails, landscaping and at-grade warning beacons. The trail, also accessible for people with disabilities, is slated for completion in April 2015.
“Framingham’s vision for transportation orientated development has another spoke in its wheel with the addition of the Cochituate Rail Trail currently connecting Framingham neighborhoods to some of our largest employers,” added Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin “many natural resources including the Weston Aqueduct, and the Golden Triangle area. Exciting future connections linking the MBTA will only reinforce our ability to provide alternate means of transportation and to reduce vehicle traffic in and around Framingham.”
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