LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield Rail Trail project team continues to make progress on the design, permitting and funding of Phase 1 of the rail trail, Department of Public Works Director John Scenna wrote in a post on the town’s website.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) approved funding Phase 1 of the Lynnfield Rail Trail in fiscal year 2026, totaling $6,062,695, earlier this year. Spring Town Meeting approved three warrant articles related to Phase 1 of the Lynnfield Rail Trail. Phase 1 will go from Ford Avenue, which is off of Perry Avenue, to Nichols Lane in Peabody.
Phase 2 of the rail trail will run from Ford Avenue, through Reedy Meadow, and will connect with the Wakefield Rail Trail.
“Advancement of Phase 2 is still awaiting promulgation of DEP’s revised wetlands regulations that were last projected to be issued in spring 2025,” said Scenna.
Scenna said the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) website “has not posted an update on the schedule for issuing revised regulations since February 2025.”
The following specific tasks have been accomplished for Phase 1 since August.
Scenna said the April 2025 Town Meeting certification for Article 8, dedication of a portion of the middle school property for rail trail use, was recorded at the Registry of Deeds on Aug. 27. The Conservation Commission’s Order of Conditions for Phase 1 was recorded at the Registry of Deeds on Aug. 28.
The Stantec design team submitted revised right-of-way plans to MassDOT on Sept. 22.
Scenna said the project team and representatives from the city of Peabody met with the MassDOT right-of-way officials to further discuss Federal requirements for confirming public access to the Rail Trail at Nichols Lane on Oct. 1.
“The town continues to coordinate with MassDOT and the city of Peabody on this item,” said Scenna.
Letters of intent were scheduled to be sent to two project abutters requesting temporary construction easements for construction of the rail trail at Summer Street on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
The following milestones are scheduled to occur over the next several months.
The town anticipates MassDOT will be approving ROW plans this October. In November, the Stantec project team will be submitting final bid documents to MassDOT for contract review. Stantec will be preparing recordable plans next month.
The town will be preparing advertisement for construction bids in May 2026. The anticipated project bid date will be July 2026.