An update from the town’s Lynnfield-Wakefield Rail Trail team provided a positive outlook on what has been a lengthy process of working with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to meet the proper standards.
Town engineers have been working with MassDOT to work on Phase 1, a 75% Progress step of the rail trail, positive interactions, and “all concerns have been addressed,” according to the town website.
As the project is being federally funded and executed by MassDOT, the design must undergo a segmented process, starting with 25% design, then 75% design, and finishing with 100% design, which Lynnfield plans to submit next month.
Making the procedure lengthier is an important factor of environmental protection, with around one mile of the Lynnfield portion running through wetlands, floodplains, and/or rare and endangered species habitats. Accordingly, much of the section will be an elevated boardwalk.
“We had a tremendous year this year with the rail trail and improvements on the rail trail, we feel we’ve done everything as a project team to bring that forward,” said Director of Public Works John Scenna at a Finance Committee meeting last Wednesday.
Back in October, MassDOT approved the town’s plan to split the project into two phases, with the first phase encompassing the entirety of the path’s Lynnfield section, reducing construction costs.
Word on the MassDOT funding the first phase of the rail trail’s construction in the 2026 Fiscal Year should come to the town in March. If everything goes well, the target for the opening of this portion of the project will be for spring 2027.
When finished, the Phase 1 Rail Trail will start at Nichols Lane in Peabody and go to Ford Avenue In Lynnfield, connecting important landmarks throughout the town that will now become more accessible through biking and walking.
“It should be noted that if we get funding for the rail trail, it will provide the first direct link between the middle school and high school. So that’s a big part of the program,” said Town Administrator Rob Dolan.
