Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Parking Coming to Acton Sooner Than Expected
The Town of Westford has announced they are seeking to establish a working group to make the "Acton Plan" a reality, due in large part to unexpected funding recommended by the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization.
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Yesterday, the Town of Westford announced it wants volunteers for a working group aimed towards coordinating the proposed Bruce Freeman Rail Trail extension and parking lot in Acton, also known over the past few months as "the Acton Plan."
Any hopes of the plan coming to fruition were expected to take decades, even though it appeared to have a positive reaction from factions for and against proposed rail trail parking lots in Westford.
That was until last week, when Land Use Management Director Angus Jennings informed the Planning Board that the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMPO) voted to recommend Phase 2A of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, which extends from Westford into Carlisle and Acton.
"No one saw this coming," said Jennings.
Although the BMPO does not have jurisdiction over Westford, it serves 101 cities and towns surrounding Boston, including Carlisle and Acton.
The BMPO has estimated the price of Phase 2A at just under $6.7 million, and public comment on Phase 2A and other competing studies opening May 2 on the BMPO's website.
Jim Snyder-Grant
1:29 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
As mentioned, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which coordinates the spending of millions of federal transportation dollars, has moved the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail sections in Concord & Acton up to 2014. That's a big & welcome change for those wanting to see safer & easier biking alternatives in Acton & beyond.