The Friends of the BFRT are assisting with amenities, such as benches and bike racks, and the acquisition of the Phase 3 portion of the railroad right of way (ROW). The rail trail will also need regular maintenance for which the Friends will provide support. More information here
Construction is anticipated to be complete in summer 2009. The section
of trail under construction extends from the Lowell/Chelmsford line
near Cross Point, through Chelmsford Center, to the intersection of
Route 27 and Route 225 in Westford.
Please stay off the rail trail corridor during construction, to avoid
injury from equipment, debris, and other hazards created by the
construction process. Heavy equipment is used during construction and
the entire rail corridor is considered a work zone.
In August 2008, installation of the trail base began at Route 3 in
Chelmsford and is proceeding south. Construction work will be evident
in Chelmsford Center during September and October. Work may not be
evident along Route 27 until spring 2009, depending on the length of
the construction season as determined by winter weather.
Curbing for the rail trail has been installed between the parking lots
in the rear of Village Square and 30 Chelmsford St. (Chelmsford
Cyclery) to 60 Chelmsford St. (Highlights Salon). Installation of
curbing in other areas in Chelmsford Center will wait until 2009 in
deference to abutting businesses.
Curbing and railings for the 4 bridges will be installed once the risk
of damage from other construction activity is past.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rail Trail
Construction are available here.
9/30/2008
Current Project Status
Erosion Control fence installation completed.
Clearing operation is complete. (January 7, 2008)
Track Removal is complete.
Bridge Demolition on 4 of the 4 bridges complete.
Track Timber Tie removal is complete.
Beam placement on all four bridge complete.
Pre and Post tensioning of bridge beams complete
Wingwalls and backwalls on all four bridge complete.
Drainage system installations at all locations complete.
Granite curb installation at 60 Chelmsford St. area is complete.
Preliminary excavation and grading began on August 11, 2008 at the Route 3 end of project.
Grading is complete from Rt. 3 to Center of Chelmsford (September 30, 2008)
Additional Information
Grading will continue from behind Bertucci’s towards High St. during the next two weeks.
Other areas to be excavated and graded will commence shortly thereafter.
The number for the answering machine in the Resident Engineer's
field
office is 978-256-3947. Please leave the following information: name,
daytime phone number, address (for abutters), email address (optional),
and a one or two sentence description of the reason for the call.
An email address will lead to a quicker initial response. We will
research the question and get back to you. We ask that you review the
information on the website before calling.
While waiting for a response, please keep in mind that the Resident
Engineer is working on multiple projects.
