Are the train tracks active in Medford, MA (near Lauriat Pl and Washington Street)? (Cambridge: real estate)

[sbv17]

Are the train tracks around Lauriat Pl and Washington Street in Medford, MA active/still in use? The tracks extend from River's Edge Drive/Corporate Way to near I-93.

The reason I ask ifs they appear in some maps and not others. For example, I can see them on Google Maps but I can't see them on other maps.


If they are active, what rail - CSX? Commuter? Heavy Rail? Light rail?

How often do trains go through this area?

**
I'm really wondering about noise in the area. Would living around Farragut Ave or Salem Street get a lot of noise -- especially train noise?

Also, what is this area like? Nice, safe, clean? Stuff to do - go out - like restaurants, etc?

Thanks!

[LizBee]

No they're not. I owned a condominium a few years ago on Washington Street that had the old right of way where the tracks had been in the backyard. I think it's a utility easement now. At the time that I bought Medford was going through some terrible trouble with blackouts. The power company came in and dug up that whole area - unfortunately for some who had used the easement to extend their gardens, etc.

So no to train noise. The sound from 93 does travel an extraordinary distance however.

In terms of stuff to do.... there are some places to eat along Rte 60 but it's not what I think of as a destination spot. It's fairly convenient for commuting but some mornings the traffic will get bottle up in every direction it seems.

I work as a real estate agent so can't comment on "nice" or "safe" - we're not allowed. Re "clean" though I'm not sure what to say - if you mean lack of litter - that's one of my pet peeves - there's way too much of it everywhere in Massachusetts I think. I pick up outside my office in Cambridge every time I go outside and have walked my street and filled up an entire bag with trash. It's horrendous.

[sbv17]

Thanks, LizBee. This is a very helpful post - especially about the tracks.

re: 93
You are definitely right about the sound travelling quite far. You can faintly here it from Garfield Street.

I didn't find Medford dirty at all, but my standards are quite low from living in a grungy part of Fort Lauderdale.

I did, however, find it extremely difficult navigating in Medford - lots of roundabouts, narrow streets, hairpin turns. Are all Mass towns like that?