Plans for Opening the Trail - The Framingham Cochituate Rail Trail Committee has presented design plans to the town of Framingham and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. Framingham has approved them and has will formally request that the Turnpike approve them so that we can solicit bids. It is our plan to get most of the planning done during the winter months so that construction can begin in the spring of 2007.

Lease agreements with the MBTA - Framingham's Town Counsel has directed Brown & Green LLC to negotiate with the MBTA for a long-term lease that would allow us to construct the entire Framingham portion of the trail. Brown & Green has negotiated similar leases for several communities in the surrounding area.

Natick Mall expansion - Considerable progress has been made at the Natick Mall construction site. When completed, there will be two multi-use trails and bicycle racks on the mall property. Other benefits will be the crossing at Route 30 and a crossing of Speen St. that will allow enable a spur trail in the mall to connect to the Cochituate Rail Trail. In addition, the Cochituate Rail Trail project has received additional funds due to the expansion project's impact on Framingham.

Coming soon - Cumberland Farms will be replacing the current gas station at the corner of Speen and Route 30 with a new gas station and convenience store. As part of their design, Cumberland Farms will be construct a concrete path from the rail trail to the convenience store, install quality bike racks and provide us with a picnic table on their property. They will also be building sidewalks along its sections of Speen and Route 30. Combined with obligations by the Natick Mall expansion project, the side along Route 30 will be continuous to the signal in front of TJX.

597 Old Connecticut Path - A public hearing has been conducted before the Framingham Planning Board for a 2-lot subdivision at this property. This is primarily a means for freezing the zoning category for the property as manufacturing while the applicant continues to try to get a concrete batch plant approved for this site. Neighbors and trail advocates, among others, strongly disapprove of this propose use.

500 Old Connecticut Path - Construction has begun for expansion of this office park. This is significant since the rail trail project received considerable benefit from this project. As part of traffic mitigation, money has been set aside for the construction of a traffic signal for the trail crossing at Old Connecticut Path.