About 25 people came out for a ribbon cutting along Marblehead’s Rail Trail on Aug. 26 to celebrate a 650-foot “prototype” section between Smith and Pleasant streets. It’s a milestone in the implementation of a multi-year Rail Trail Master Plan to improve all 4.5 miles of the trail in town.
“This is one of the town’s greatest community assets and is heavily used by walkers, bikers and others,” said Brendan Callahan, director of community development and planning for the town. The improved path is widened to 11 feet (enough for two-way bike traffic), covered with crushed aggregate and compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
People gather for a ribbon-cutting along the Rail Trail on Aug. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER
This 650-foot prototype cost $143,395, which included resurfacing, grading, drainage work and other improvements.
It was funded by a $60,000 Mass Trails grant and ARPA (federal COVID recovery) dollars. The town has allocated a total of $1.4 million in ARPA funds for Rail Trail design and construction services.
The project is divided into three sections:
- Swampscott branch from Smith Street to Seaview Avenue
- Salem branch from West Shore Drive to Lafayette Street in Salem
- Junction from Bessom Street to West Shore Drive and Pleasant Street
‘Safer, accessible alternatives to driving’
“This newly refurbished section of the Rail Trail is an important step toward encouraging safer, accessible alternatives to driving — like walking and biking — particularly for our more vulnerable populations,” said Elaine Leahy, director of Sustainable Marblehead. “We’re also pleased to hear that the DPW is considering adding bikeable shoulder lines onto certain streets. We hope that soon Marblehead will also incorporate bike lanes or shared paths onto our main thoroughfares.”
Leahy added, “Looking ahead, we’re especially excited about the draft Bike Facilities Plan, which will make bicycling safer for everyone — including children riding to school — while expanding the town’s bike network and integrating bike safety into local policies. It’s a critical step if Marblehead is to reach its Net Zero goal by 2040. To get there, we need to make it easier and safer for residents to choose biking and walking not just for recreation, but also for commuting, shopping and getting around town — all activities for which this new section of the rail trail will facilitate.”
Callahan said another 420 feet of refurbished Rail Trail will be completed by October, east of the Rockaway Road crossing toward Seaview Avenue.
Regarding the project’s timeline, Callahan said, “Currently, the design phase for the Swampscott Branch (Smith Street to Seaview Avenue) and Salem Branch (West Shore Drive to Lead Mills) is estimated to be complete by fall 2027.”
There are no other identified deadlines.
The Rail Trail abuts four conservation areas in Marblehead and links several neighborhoods. There are eight street crossings along the trail. During a recent Rail Trail site walk led by Callahan, several people said it would be beneficial to “formalize” connections from the path to neighborhoods, making it easier to access the trail.
Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer addresses the crowd at the ribbon cutting ceremony along the Rail Trail. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER
