The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • 83

NorthWest 9 Residents face bikeway issues in connnunities across region THE BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE MAY 24, 1998 By Alice Hinkle GLOBE C'OHKKSI'ONDKNT sai "goody Alewife to Minuteman Construction should be completed by late summer or early fall on a quarter-mile connection, including a bridge, that links the Minuteman Bikeway in Arlington and the Ale-wife MBTA station. This is a joint Metropolitan District Commission, MassIIighway project North Suburban Regional Bicycle Transportation Plan A feasibility study for this multi-use path connecting North Reading, Reading, Wilmington, Lynnfield, and Wakefield will begin as soon as notification is received that communities will be reimbursed for work under a grant announced earlier. Tri-Community Bikeway, Stoneham Design and engineering funds have been allocated for this 6.6-mile project that will connect Woburn, Winchester, and Stoneham. The planning committee is waiting word on whether additional funds for construction will be available. Merrimack River Trail -Tewksbury officials are waiting for SHE'S LOOKING FOR SOME GOOD CAR TUNES.

At least four area paths have been planned using types of gravel or stone dust surfaces that meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. They are: the Bedford Narrow Gauge Rail Trail, a multipurpose Westford path, the Middlesex Canal Towpath, and the Battle Road Trail in Minuteman National Historical Park. The Middlesex Canal Towpath will be created on 10.6 miles along parts of the former Middlesex Canal in Woburn, Wilmington, Billerica, Chelmsford, and Lowell. Plans call for a dirt or gravel walkbikeway that would resemble the old towpath. Combined with local bikeways and streets, the trail could continue to Winchester, Medford, and Boston.

Although Minute Man Park's 5.5-mile Battle Road Trail from Lexington to Concord is not finished, the path is in use. Its two types of un-paved surfaces were designed for cycling, walking, jogging, strollers, and wheelchairs, but are not suitable for high-speed cycling or roller skating. Bedford is exploring possible connections to this trail through Mass-port property. Work on Bedford's 2.5-mile stone dust rail trail could be complete by fall, and cyclists are already using it. The 8- to 10-foot-wide path begins at Loomis Street, near the Minuteman Bikeway terminus, and heads north to the Billerica line where it will meet the proposed Yankee Doodle Bikeway.

In addition to sharing a short stretch of the proposed Bruce N. Freeman trail with Lowell and Chelmsford, Westford will have its own 12-mile equestrianpedestrian path. An eight-foot width and gravel-type surface have been selected to reflect the town's rural character, said Jeffrey Chelgren, director of land use management. The trail will follow abandoned rail beds and existing trails. Construction on the first section, north of Interstate 495, could begin by next spring, with voluntary funding by a local developer.

Design of phases 2 and 3 will begin under a $120,000 grant. Other area path projects include: More than a dozen bikeway projects are in the works in 19 area communities. In Belmont, selectmen will vote June 1 on continued participation in the Wayside Rail Trail project. And in North Andover, a trails committee will lead a walk along parts of the proposed Essex Railroad Rail Trail on June 5. The Belmont vote will decide whether the town will accept responsibility for policing and maintaining its segment of the trail.

The Wayside path, also called the Central Massachusetts Rail Trail, would run from Belmont to Berlin through Waltham, Wayland, bury, Marlborough, and Hudson. It would follow abandoned tracks in most communities, but since one of Belmont's two rail lines is in use, options are limited. Weston earlier voted not to participate. There are plans to connect the Wayside trail in Belmont to the Min-uteman Bikeway in Arlington, Lexington and Bedford. North Andover's trails committee is working on the initial phase of the proposed 18-mile Essex Railroad trail from North Andover to Middle-ton, Danvers, and Peabody.

The first four-mile segment would run from Great Pond Road to the Middleton line. The walk on June 5, National Trails Day, will begin at 10 a.m. from North Andover High School. In Acton, despite some vocal opposition, Town Meeting recently passed two warrant articles that continue the town's participation in the Assabet River Rail Trail project. From Acton, the trail would head to Maynard, Stow, Hudson, and Marlborough.

Only about a mile is planned in Acton, but this section is key since the path is designed to provide alternate ways to reach public transportation, and a commuter rail station is in South Acton. Construction could begin on Hudson and Marlborough sections within two years. HE'S LOOKING FOR SOME GOOD CARTOONS. official notice that funds are available to move ahead with engineering work on the town's first bike path, which would link Lowell and Andover. Pitman Bicycle Path Design of this one-mile Reading path is slated to begin next year and construction could begin by 2000.

The trail will run from Grove Street to the Birch Meadow school-recreation complex with links to regional bikeway systems. Yankee Doodle Bikeway -This seven-mile path in Billerica will connect to Bedford and the Middlesex Canal Towpath in North Billerica. The current goal is to work with the state to find the best way to cross Route 3. In addition to planning funds, $1 million has been earmarked for the project. Shawsheen River GreenWay -The first link is nearing completion in Lawrence's Costello Park near North Andover.

This piece will connect with a system around the new South Lawrence East School. Other sections in Andover and North Andover are in the planning stages. BURLINGTON MALL: Filene's. Lord Taylor, Macy's, Sears.The Food Court plus over 1 70 specialty stores and restaurants. Open Daily I Oam to 1 0pm- Sunday 1 1 am to 6pm.

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