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Make way for rail trails. In this case, the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT). Sudbury Weekly previously reported that Eversource was expected to turn the corridor over to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) on April 1; and that happened this week according to comments during the Wednesday, April 2 meeting of the Sudbury Rail Trails Advisory Committee.
During the meeting, it was confirmed by Town staff that DCR and their contractor were on track to begin work next week.
The committee also discussed adding a paved pad at the intersection of the MCRT and the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (BFRT) near Union Ave and Station Road. DCR was open to exploring the idea, which was encouraging news for the committee. The pad would provide a location for a thunder box portable toilet.
Continuing with the potty theme—the committee discussed pet waste challenges along rail trails. Co-chair Glenn Pransky relayed his experiences and conversation on other east-coast rail trails during a recent trip, and found that trail users consistently reported that pet waste disposal stations with pet waste bags were an effective solution.
The committee also discussed advancing conversations about trail maintenance on the BFRT, with Pransky relaying good news that trail maintenance is typically around $2,000 per mile per year according to a study. He did caution, however, that preventative maintenance was key to keeping maintenance costs low, as freeze/thaw conditions and tree roots can disturb the paved surface of trails, which is then more expensive to repair.
Paving on the MCRT is expected to be completed by June 30, but other work is expected to continue through the year. The committee discussed the risk of residents using the trail when it was not officially open.
Definitely stay away from that freshly-paved trail that stretches across the town, and connects to stunning conservation land, until the grand opening. Wouldn’t want to be a trespasser, now, would you?
