Home

-advocating for the Lynnfield-Wakefield Rail Trail project.

Lynnfield Rail Trail

Incredible aerial video of Reedy Meadow

August 15, 2025 Update:

The Rail Trail Project Team continues to make progress on design, permitting and funding of Phase 1 of the Rail Trail. Advancement of Phase 2 is still awaiting promulgation of DEP’s revised wetlands regulations that were estimated to be issued in Spring 2025 but have not yet been released.

Specific tasks accomplished for Phase 1 since the last update include the following:
•   May 30: The Town received verification from the Army Corps of Engineers that the Town’s application to construct Phase 1 of the Rail Trail under the ACOE Massachusetts General Permit self-verification program was received.
•   June 3: The Order of Taking for acceptance of the Ford Avenue Extension was recorded at the South Essex Registry of Deeds. The Project Team also met with MBTA to advance lease discussions and details regarding the right-of-way and existing encroachments.
•   June 5: The Boston Region MPO Board endorsed the Federal Fiscal Years 2026-2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Document. The TIP Document includes state and federal funding for construction of Phase 1 of the Lynnfield Rail Trail from Ford Avenue (Lynnfield) to Nichols Lane (Peabody).
•   June 17: The project team met with the MassDOT right-of-way officials to further discuss state and federal requirements for confirming public access to the Rail Trail at Nichols Lane. The Town continues to coordinate with MassDOT and the City of Peabody on this item.
•   June 23: The Conservation Commission held its final public hearing on Phase 1 and issued an approved Order of Conditions (wetlands permit) for the project.
•   July 16: Stantec submitted the Plans, Specifications, and Estimate (PS&E) for Phase 1 to MassDOT.

The following milestones are scheduled to occur over the next several months:
•   September 2025: Submit revised ROW plans to MassDOT
•   October 2025: Submit final bid documents to MassDOT for contract review
•   November 2025: Prepare recordable plans
•   May 2026: Prepare advertisement for construction bids

“We are excited at progress the project is making and all the milestones that have been completed since Town meeting. I have confidence that the project team will continue to work diligently, efficiently and effectively to meet all upcoming milestones and maintain the project schedule.”, stated Town Administrator Robert Dolan.