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Originally Posted by tigerclaws
Wow......that is great news. What is the ETA?
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This first thing that will get built is the bridge over Route 2, which is incorporated into the Concord Rotary removal next year. The first half of Phase 2 (Westford, Acton, Concord) is getting designed now. That's why there was a push for Sudbury to address the second half of Phase 2 (Concord border to Route 20). If they hadn't, Concord would have stopped the trail at Powder Mill Road rather than leaving it in no man's land at the border with Sudbury. I believe it's also why one of the two questions in the Sudbury vote specifically referenced the stretch of the trail from the Concord border to Route 117. It looks like they'll try to incorporate this small stretch in Sudbury to the first half of Phase 2 rather than the second half (makes much more sense since 117 will have parking and is a better access point than Powder Mill Road as a major artery).
Right now, Phase 2 is triaged into the 2021-2025 slot for the region's long range transportation plan, which is necessary to procure state and federal funds. It thankfully didn't get bumped off thanks to political and grassroots support. If projects ahead of it are delayed, there's a chance that it would get moved up. There isn't a huge push to do this yet as the second half of Phase 2 has languished until recently (which is why this news that Sudbury is getting its act together is so welcome). If it gets left out, there's always the chance it misses the boat and this portion never gets built, which screws Framingham more than Sudbury by effectively killing Phase 3. In Sudbury's defense, it sounds like it's their folks in town hall and not their residents who've been obstinate. I heard the town manager and/or selectmen sat on it citing "higher priorities."
Way to kick in their rear, Sudbury.
Phase 3 is the trickiest since CSX still owns the tracks from Route 20 to Framingham. I think it will be some time before it ever gets built (ca. 15-20 years) judging by how difficult it has been to implement Phase 2. There's also the question whether state and federal funds will be available that far down the road. I'm sure the Friends of the BFRT will help, but I'm not sure if Framingham has the financial and political capital to get it done. It would be a shame because the trail would pass right by Garden in the Woods and Framingham State University.
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