The design of the Framingham portion of the Cochituate Rail Trail has been completed by Weston & Sampson with input from various town departments and the public. As the design phase was started, the Framingham Dept. of Public Works proposed to utilize the trail corridor as part of the EFSIP (East Framingham Sewer Improvement Project). As a result, the CRT plans were coordinated with those for EFSIP. The entire set of plans were sent out to bid a few months ago. The project was awarded and construction of the project will start in early 2010. Once finished, the rail trail corridor will be completed. Amenities for the trail will be funded with money outside of the EFSIP project. Construction of the trail is scheduled to begin in November, 2010. The trail surface would completed in November, 2011 but the trail will not be completed until additional funds are obtained to complete the trail with essential safety features and amenities.
The town of Framingham is in the final stages of acquiring almost the entire right of way for the trail. It will give the town more freedom to develop and utilize the property and give the town control of licenses that exist with several abutting properties. It will also eliminate the need to get approval of construction plans by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and MBTA.
The town of Framingham is in the final stages of acquiring almost the entire right of way for the trail. It will give the town more freedom to develop and utilize the property and give the town control of licenses that exist with several abutting properties. It will also eliminate the need to get approval of construction plans by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and MBTA.
We are pleased to announce that the Cochituate Rail Trail project was awarded a second grant from the REI Gives program through the Friends of Saxonville. This money will help pay for amenities along the trail.
The Community and Economic Development Division has submitted both a CMAQ application (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) and a TEA-21 application (Transportation Enhancement) this spring to fund trail construction beyond that which will be done through the East Framingham Sewer Improvements Project. Earlier the town submitted a Recreational Trails grant application to the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation to fund other trail amenities.
The Community and Economic Development Division has submitted both a CMAQ application (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) and a TEA-21 application (Transportation Enhancement) this spring to fund trail construction beyond that which will be done through the East Framingham Sewer Improvements Project. Earlier the town submitted a Recreational Trails grant application to the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation to fund other trail amenities.
After closing the public hearing and beginning deliberation, the Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals received a letter from the applicant's counsel requesting that the application be withdrawn without prejudice rather than receive a denial for the special permit to build a concrete batch plant on this parcel. In late April, 2010, the ZBA voted 3-0 to accept the request to withdraw. The project is not dead yet. The original application of a few years ago is still in court and the applicant can still request to start over again with the most recent plan.
For many years, TJX has hired Framingham police to direct traffic during the evening at 500 Old Connecticut Path. It believes that the time is right to install traffic signals at its driveway and coordinate it with the signalized crossing for the rail trail. As a result, TJX has paid for several options having signals for the trail and their driveway and the necessary traffic signals and road improvements. The Framingham Rail Trail Committee selected the option that preserved the proximity of the trail crossing to the trail, moved the TJX driveway closer to the rail trail, thereby eliminating the need for a complicated system of traffic signals. The cost for the recommended plan was the median value. Framingham's Traffic and Roadway Safety Committee met and will recommend the same option to the Board of Selectmen since the latter, in their capacity as Road Commissioners, need to approach this project. TJX will need to contribute approximately $70K to fund this option.
On Nov. 23, the Natick Cochituate Rail Trail Advisory Committee, together with its design consultants at Fay, Spofford & Thorndike presented a conceptual design for the Natick portion of the trail. Approximately 50 people showed up. The Natick committee plans on meeting again on Dec. 16 in Natick Town Hall to put the final touches on the conceptual design plan.
The Framingham Planning Board has approved plans for Cumberland Farms to raze and rebuild the service station at the corner of Speen St. and Route 30. Cumberland Farms has demonstrated that it is a strong supporter of the rail trail. It plans to incorporate several beneficial features into its design, including a connection from the convenience store to the Cochituate Rail Trail, bike racks and picnic table. It will also try to improve the sidewalks and crosswalks at the intersection, enabling better pedestrian and bicycle movement to the local businesses.
The redevelopment of the 'State Lumber' site at the corner of School and Concord St. has been approved by the Framingham Planning Board. This site is located at the northern terminus of the trail. The site will include a gym, among other facilities. Other significant highlights of this project include development of a pocket park along the Sudbury River. This development will modify the scenery and traffic at this key location in Saxonville. Unfortunately, the best we could get from the developer is a slightly wider sidewalk for pedestrians and a narrow shoulder for bicyclists going north along Concord Street. Bicycle racks will be provided throughout the site and there will be a pocket park along the Sudbury River that will be accessible by boardwalk.
