We’re happy to report significant progress in the development of the Cochituate Rail Trail (CRT)! As you may know, the property is currently owned by two state agencies: the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (MTA). In December 2003, the Town of Framingham and the MTA reached a critical agreement that will allow the Town to open a short section (1/2 mile) of trail this summer. We expect this agreement to be finalized over the next few months. In the meanwhile, the trail is not open to the public.

The Town also continues to pursue a long-term lease on the longer portion of the MBTA-owned section of the trail. Framingham is an active member of a consortium of 30 communities, the EPA, MassBike, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the DEP working together to draft a standard lease for rail trail development along dormant MBTA corridors.

The Framingham section of the Cochituate Rail Trail has been under development for more than three years. This multi-use trail will follow the abandoned Saxonville Branch rail line, and will extend 1-1/2 miles from Route 30 (near The Home Depot) to the Sudbury River in Saxonville.

General Growth Properties' proposal for expanding the Natick Mall using the old Wonder Bread property represents a unique opportunity to connect the CRT to one of the largest retail districts in Massachusetts. Wonder Bread was serviced by rail until 1998, and the abandoned spur could be used to connect the CRT to the Natick Mall (and beyond). The Framingham Cochituate Rail Trail Committee is working with representatives from Natick to ensure that the CRT plays a key role in this future development by providing an attractive transportation alternative.

Keep an eye out for the recently installed "Future CRT" signs at the Route 30 and Old Connecticut Path entrances to the trail. In addition, we have created a new CRT website at www.CRTrail.org, and are developing a new e-mail list for keeping people up to date on CRT happenings. Go to the "Contact Us" page on our website to sign up.

We would like to thank the following people and organizations for their recent contributions to the Cochituate Rail Trail project:

We welcome you to join us for our Spring Clean-Up, scheduled for Saturday, May 1 (rain date Sunday, May 2), from 9am-3pm. Our clean-ups are popular community events where volunteers help remove trash and brush from the trail. Please see our website for details.

Volunteers are crucial to the development of the CRT. Our Committee encourages the public to donate a skill or service, or to participate in our monthly meetings. For more information please see our website, www.CRTrail.org, or contact Mark Lamkin at 774-249-0789.

Thank you,
Framingham Cochituate Rail Trail Committee