By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has approved the town’s request to separate the Lynnfield portion of the Wakefield-Lynnfield Rail Trail into two different phases.

The rail trail, which will be funded by MassDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), will connect both Lynnfield and Wakefield via the abandoned MBTA rail bed. The Lynnfield section of the rail trail will consist of a 2.8-mile multiuse path and boardwalk that will extend from Fosters Lane in Wakefield, go through Lynnfield and will end at Nichols Lane in Peabody. A portion of the rail trail will go through Reedy Meadow via an elevated boardwalk.

Department of Public Works Director John Scenna informed the Villager last week that MassDOT recently approved separating the rail trail into two separate phases. Phase 1 will go from Ford Avenue by Lynnfield Middle School to Nichols Lane in Peabody. Phase 2 will go from Ford Avenue, through Reedy Meadow and into Wakefield.

“We felt that splitting the rail trail would give us the opportunity to accelerate the first phase so that we can start using it,” said Scenna during a recent Select Board meeting. “It will connect our two secondary schools. MassDOT is indicating that Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulations and guidelines could be changing at the end of 2024. Those changes will bring design changes for the second phase that will lower the cost. It would shorten the boardwalk and would give the second phase a larger opportunity to move forward.”

Stantec Consultants, Inc. Project Engineer Joe Rubino said the 75 percent design for Phase 1 was submitted to MassDOT in July. He said Phase 1’s project number is 613163.

“It’s moving ahead on its own MassDOT approved schedule,” said Rubino.

Rubino said Phase 2’s MassDOT project number is 613867.

“We are waiting for the new DEP guidelines to be issued,” said Rubino. “We are going to be taking that into consideration.”

Rubino said the rail trail will include upgraded roadway crossings by installing signs and pavement markings on Summer Street and Pillings Pond Road. While he said a rectangular rapid flashing beacon will be installed on Summer Street, Rubino said the signal will not be located on Pillings Pond Road.

“Warning signage is a sufficient treatment at the crossing,” said Rubino.

Rubino recalled that residents whose homes abut the rail trail have requested screening.

“The way that we move forward with addressing that concern is providing 3,800 feet of fencing,” said Rubino. “MassDOT is currently reviewing that. We are waiting for their approval for that component of the project, but the town does intend to reach out to any impacted residents once we hear back on MassDOT’s determination.”

Rubino said a lease agreement with the MBTA for the rail corridor still has to be finalized.

“That is where the bulk of the project’s work will take place,” said Rubino.

Rubino said MassDOT is requiring the town to submit the rail trail’s 100 percent design on Jan. 24, 2025. He hopes that Phase 1 will be funded in fiscal year 2026.

“We are trying to move this project along,” said Rubino.

Scenna agreed.

“We will reach the 100 percent design this winter,” said Scenna. “If by the end of this year MassDOT accelerates our standing on the list and funds us for fiscal year 2026, there will be a rail trail in place to walk on by the spring of 2027. If MassDOT does not accelerate it, we will probably be saying the same thing next year because we are not programmed until a few years out. We have checked all of our boxes and have done everything MassDOT has asked of us to get to get to a situation where we can be considered for advancement. Our 75 percent design submission was sent in well before the need for it. We have done everything we can, but we need a little bit of help from MassDOT to push us back up on the list so that we can get Phase 1 going.”

Rubino said MassDOT has “weighed in” on some of the proposed new MassDEP guidelines for “shared use paths on abandoned rail corridors.”

“There seems to be a new permitting path we can take that would allow for some additional wetland impacts through Reedy Meadow,” said Rubino.

Rubino said reducing the length of the boardwalk will lower the rail trail project’s price tag.

“We are trying to reduce the cost of Phase 2,” said Rubino. “That is not without its impacts. We are still investigating the impacts to the wetlands and floodplain, and how those will be mitigated. We are taking a closer look at that as well. The hope is that reducing the cost of Phase 2 will allow an easier path to get construction funding. That is the goal.”

Rubino said the timeline for getting Phase 2 funded is “a little less clear” than Phase 1.

“We are awaiting approval from the MassDOT Project Review Committee meeting,” said Rubino. “We are also waiting for MassDEP to issue the new guidelines. They are anticipated to be released by the end of the year, but no date has been set.”

Reaction

In response to a question from Select Board member Phil Crawford, Rubino said two handicap parking spaces will be provided on Summer Street across from the Reedy Meadow Golf Course.

“There is a larger grass area, so we are kind of widening the road to put those there,” said Rubino.

Select Board member Alexis Leahy asked if the new DEP regulations will apply to just Phase 2 or both phases.

“Phase 1 is not really relying on those changes in regulations to move through the permitting process,” said Rubino.

Scenna concurred with Rubino’s point of view.

“The more significant environmental impacts are in Phase 2,” said Scenna.

Leahy asked how can the public stay informed about the rail trail project.

Scenna said information about the rail trail is posted on the town website under the DPW’s and the Planning and Conservation Department’s respective pages. He also said information about the project is posted on the Friends of Lynnfield Rail Trail website: http://www.lynnfieldrailtrail.org/home.html.

Pillings Pond Road resident Dick Shafner said residents driving on Wildewood Drive frequently don’t stop at the stop sign where the proposed crossing will be located.

“I am concerned that when people come down there and turn right to go down Pillings Pond Road that they will be right on top of the crossing,” said Shafner. “My only advice is you should survey it. I can see a real problem there.”

Shafner also said he is concerned that people using the rail trail will park in the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church lot. He said between 50 and 75 cars enter the parking lot in order for people to pick up preschool students attending The Bethlehem School at noon.

“We have got to watch that,” said Shafner.

Select Board Chair Dick Dalton said Shafner raised “very good points.”

Friends of Lynnfield Rail Trail President Vince Inglese thanked Rubino, Scenna, Town Administrator Rob Dolan, Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin, Planning and Conservation Director Emilie Cademartori, Friends of Lynnfield Rail Trail member Rich Kosian and Stantec Senior Project Manager John Hendrickson for their “focus and dedication” on the rail trail project.

“We really look forward to continued focus and support for the opening of this trail in a timely manner,” said Inglese.