Marblehead has been awarded a $718,444 state grant to advance design, engineering, permitting and community engagement for the town’s 4.5-mile Rail Trail, as a new volunteer group launches to help maintain and improve the popular pathway.
The funding will bring the project closer to construction readiness, according to Brendan Callahan, the town’s director of community development and planning.
The grant will support final design and permitting for the Swampscott, Salem and Wye Junction branches of the trail.
The work will advance the project toward 100% design completion, including safer roadway crossings, drainage upgrades, improvements to accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act, environmental permitting and preparation of construction-ready bid documents.
“This grant provides the town with an important opportunity to continue advancing the Rail Trail project,” said Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer. “The Rail Trail is an important community asset that will improve transportation, recreation, accessibility and connections between neighborhoods and community facilities.”
The grant announcement comes as residents Brian and Kate Rooney launch Friends of the Marblehead Rail Trail, a volunteer organization dedicated to maintaining, enhancing and advocating for the trail.
The group hopes to work alongside the town, providing volunteer support to help keep the trail in good condition without increasing costs for taxpayers.
Brian Rooney said the idea emerged after he read a recommendation for such a group in the town’s 2020 Rail Trail Plan. He had been attending planning meetings and communicating with town departments about the trail and saw an opportunity for residents to play a more active role in its upkeep.
Surprised that no one had established such an organization, Rooney and his wife began talking with neighbors and other stakeholders about forming one.
“Given the last few Town Meetings with budget concerns and the override, the last thing we want to do is add more expense to the tax payer,” Rooney said.
The group decided to focus on volunteer maintenance and improvements that could benefit the trail without adding to the town’s expenses.
“We feel like the will is there from people to get involved, and the rail trail means a lot to so many people in this town,” Brian Rooney said.
The organization is encouraging interested residents to connect through its website, marbleheadrailtrail.com, for updates and opportunities to get involved.
Meanwhile, there is new debate over Rail Trail planning. Some supporters are advocating for preserving its rustic, natural character rather than making extensive upgrades. The town plans to hold a community meeting this fall to gather more public input on proposed improvements and the trail’s future.
Connections to housing and economic development
The state funding also supports Marblehead’s housing and economic development efforts, Callahan said.
The Rail Trail connects directly to the town’s MBTA Communities Act 3A Broughton Road subdistrict and will improve access between neighborhoods, downtown, schools, municipal facilities, businesses, parks and other community amenities.
The grant application identified the planned redevelopment of the Marblehead Housing Authority’s Broughton Road housing community as a related development project. Plans include rehabilitating or replacing existing housing and potentially adding up to 60 units.
“Importantly, the Rail Trail is not a standalone project, it is part of a broader strategy to improve connectivity, support housing and create safer and more accessible transportation options throughout Marblehead,” Callahan said.
The town expects to complete design, permitting and construction-ready documents by June 30, 2028.
The Rail Trail has already attracted substantial federal, state, regional and local investment. Previous funding includes $140,000 in congressionally directed federal spending, $35,000 in matching funds from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, $100,000 in design funding through the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Improvement Program and $25,000 in local matching funds, along with earlier MassTrails funding.
The project will also incorporate climate resilience and sustainable transportation measures, including stormwater management, resilient design standards and infrastructure that encourages walking, bicycling and other forms of nonmotorized transportation.
