Thanks to Representative Moulton and the Essex National Heritage Commission, funding has been included in Congress’ recently-passed $1.5 trillion Spending Bill that will help fund the design and development of unfinished sections of the Border to Boston (B2B) Rail Trail.  This is great news for both Boxford and Newbury, which will be receiving $250,000 each to help them with designing their sections of the trail.  Peabody, Swampscott, and Marblehead are also receiving funding for sections of the B2B.

The B2B is an important interregional bicycle and pedestrian facility that will connect Boston to the New Hampshire State line through a combination of on- and off-road segments.  Virtually all of the off-road sections of the trail do or will follow the former Newburyport Railroad Right of Way.  Last year, the region celebrated the completion of Salisbury’s Eastern Marsh Trail that now makes the connection between New Hampshire and the Merrimack River.  Combined with Newburyport’s Clipper City Rail Trail, the region now has 7.3 miles of the B2B open.

Next up is a 5.7-mile section of the trail now under design that will extend from Georgetown Road in Boxford north through the Town of Georgetown and end in Byfield Village in Newbury.  Boxford will use the additional funding to design the trail between Georgetown Road and the Topsfield Linear Common Trail, while in Newbury the funds will help design a section of the boardwalk near Byfield Village.

The Border to Boston trail is a priority project for the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission and our member communities. It serves as a spine of a large multi-use trail network in the region that reaches nearly every community.  These trails are important non-motorized transportation corridors that connect town and city centers, transit connections, schools, recreational destinations, jobs, and more.  They are an integral part of creating a safe and attractive bicycle and pedestrian network for people of all ages and abilities.  MVPC recognizes the hard work that has gone into developing this network and we are proud to have contributed to their successes.  We look forward to more celebrations.

If you would like to participate in bicycle and pedestrian planning in the Merrimack Valley, visit our Transportation program page or contact us at [email protected]