A look at proposed stretch of rail trail from Natick to Framingham
Natick is getting its first detailed look at the proposed 2.5-mile stretch of Cochituite Rail Trail, which would stretch all the way to the Framingham town line.
Click here for a look at the stretch in Framingham and Natick.
Engineers Fay, Spofford & Thorndike, a company that has built, planned, or designed more than 500 miles of rail trails, said Monday the estimated construction costs-- which can change with time-- are $3.1 million. Cochituate Rail Trail committee member and selectman Joshua Ostroff said the committee doesn't expect to ask for any taxpayer money to fund the costs.
“There are no plans to request local tax dollars for land acquisition, design or construction of the CRT,” said Ostroff. “Plans for ongoing maintenance will include volunteers and a non-profit friends group to help ensure minimal impact on local budgets.”
The engineers envision a paved trail along the vacated rail bed that is 10 feet to 12 feet wide dotted with scenic lookouts, picnic areas, public art, and interpretive kiosks. There will be a spur to the Natick Center commuter rail station, and the path will be accessible to bikers, in-line skaters, walkers, runners, winter sports-enthusiasts, and people with physical disabilities.
When completed, the paved trail will extend from Natick center to the Framingham town line. There, it will hook up with Framingham's 1.5-mile rail trail section that ends near Framingham High School in Saxonville Village.
Framingham's section is well underway, said Ostroff. The town recently requested construction bids, and the trail should be finished within three to four years, he said.
Before Natick can move forward, the town must buy the rail beds from railroad company CSX Corporation, which stopped running trains along the corridor in 2006. The tracks and rail ties were removed in 2007. Part of the problem is that Natick's appraisal of the land's value is "significantly less" than CSX's $14 million appraisal from 2007, said Ostroff. He didn't disclose the town's appraisal amount, citing imminent CSX negotiations.
Ostroff said acquisition money could come from conservation funds and state funds.
The committee said it has numerous options to fund construction costs. The Natick Collection gave the town $500,000 in construction mitigation funds dedicated to design and construction of the paved rail trail. The committee also plans to seek funding from the state’s Department of Transportation and Department of Conservation and Recreation, as well as private sources.
In the coming weeks and months, the committee will be negotiating with CSX, collecting public input, and finalizing the design study.
Among Fay, Spofford & Thorndike’s other projects are the design of the 11-mile Nashua River Rail Trail and the revitalization of the 22-mile Cape Cord Rail Trail.
Megan McKee can be reached at megan.mckee@gmail.com.
Town Correpondent Jessica Rudis contirubuted to this report.
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