![\"Bringing](\"https:\/\/cdn.sudbury.ma.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/326\/2017\/10\/BFRT-Page-Header-Image.jpg?version=84682f704d0aa1a4b17f25af590202fb\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK:<\/strong><\/span> The recently constructed portion of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in Sudbury is now open for public use but \u201cat your own risk\u201d. The Town is waiting for the State to finalize the current contract and transfer responsibility for maintenance of the trail over to the Town, which is expected in September 2025. Please stay tuned for periodic updates \u2013 a GRAND OPENING is expected later this summer or early fall.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (BFRT) will be a 25-mile rail trail between Lowell and Framingham, along the former Lowell Secondary Track right-of-way of the Old Colony Railroad (Full BFRT Corridor Map and Status<\/a>). In Sudbury, the rail corridor extends through the center of Town, approximately 4.4 miles from South Sudbury near Route 20, north to the Sudbury\/Concord Town line (Sudbury BFRT Project in Design Map<\/a>). The BFRT will be constructed with State and Federal support. The project remains on schedule to commence construction later in 2022 or early 2023. <\/p>\n The project is on the 2021-2025 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) of the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) committing construction funding during Federal Fiscal Year 2022. This means the project has been awarded approximately $12 million dollars for construction of the 4.4-mile rail trail.<\/p>\n **************************************************************************<\/p>\n The Planning & Community Development Department intends to post periodic project updates to this page on the Town\u2019s website. Additionally, the Planning & Community Development Department has created a Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Project Updates email list where periodic updates will be pushed out to interested parties. If you or someone you know are interested in receiving Bruce Freeman Rail Trail updates you can subscribe here<\/u><\/a> (or <\/span>unsubscribe<\/span><\/a>), choose your mailing <\/span>group(s) and, click Sign Up<\/span><\/a> to receive future updates. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n BRUCE FREEMAN RAIL TRAIL PROJECT UPDATES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n February 20, 2026 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Memo – Update on Sudbury Rail Trails Project, Winter 2026<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n October 22, 2025 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n “Tales of the Rail Trail – PowerPoint Presentation”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n From 2016 to 2025, Sudbury resident and Rail Trail Advocate Len Simon documented construction of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (the north\/south trail that intersects with the east\/west Mass Central Rail Trail near Route 20\/Boston Post Road). He recently presented a slide show in the Goodnow Library Community Room and has graciously shared his presentation with the Rail Trails Advisory Committee. <\/p>\n August 7, 2025 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Memo – Update on Sudbury Rail Trails Projects, August 6, 2025<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Hawk Signals – Locations & How Hawk Signals Work<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n February 18, 2025 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Memo – Update on Sudbury Rail Trails Projects, February 18, 2025<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n July 29, 2024 Update:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Memo – Update on Sudbury Rail Trails Projects, July 25, 2024<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Photos<\/span><\/a> of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail construction work<\/p>\n July 18, 2024 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Bruce Freeman Rail Trail – Phase 3 Submitted 25% Design Plans<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n May 9, 2024 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Memo – Update on Sudbury Rail Trails Projects, May 9, 2024<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n February 15, 2024 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Bruce Freeman Rail Trail – Phase 3 Preliminary 25% Design Plans<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Memo – Update on Sudbury Rail Trails Projects, February 15, 2024<\/span><\/a> <\/p>\n Photos<\/span> <\/a>of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail construction work<\/p>\n December 12, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Bruce Freeman Rail Trail – Site Visit Photos -November 2, 2023.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Memo – Update on Sudbury Rail Trail Projects, November 15, 2023<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n History Presentation of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Part 2 \u2013 September 2023 \u2013 November 2023 <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n October 11, 2023 Update:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Memo – Update on Sudbury Rail Trail Projects, October 11, 2023<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n October 6, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n History Presentation of Bruce Freeman Rail Trail 2014-2023<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n August 14, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Photos<\/span><\/a> of Phase 2D Bruce Freeman Rail Trail construction work during the week of May 15, 2023. <\/strong><\/p>\n July 18, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n MassTrails Grant – Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Phase 3 has been awarded a 2023 MassTrails Grant<\/strong><\/span><\/a> in the amount of $192,000.00.<\/p>\n BFRT Phase 3 Feasibility Study<\/strong><\/span><\/a> prepared by Fuss & O’Neill.<\/p>\n May 20, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Phase 2D Groundbreaking Event<\/p>\n Please note there is an access driveway to the municipal field and parking area between 40 and 46 Hudson Road which is identified with white \u201cField Entrance\u201d signs. <\/p>\n Event attendees should use this driveway to access the municipal parking area. The field is just beyond the parking area. Attendees should not use any other private residence or business driveways to park or access the municipal parking lot for the event. Nor should people park along Hudson Road.<\/p>\n Message from MassDOT:<\/em><\/p>\n On Saturday, May 20, at 10:00 a.m., Transportation Secretary & CEO Gina Fiandaca will join elected officials and municipal leaders in the Town of Sudbury for a ceremonial groundbreaking event for the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (Phase 2D) Bike Path Construction project. The project involves construction of a 5.1-mile trail, from Powder Mill Road in Concord to Station Road in Sudbury. The trail will be a 10-foot wide paved shared-use path, which is consistent with the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in Concord and Acton. The work on the project will include improvements to two structures as well as upgrades to several at-grade crossings including Route 117 (North Road), Pantry Road, and Route 27 (Hudson Road).<\/p>\n Message from Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail:<\/em><\/p>\n Join us on Saturday May 20th at the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Phase 2D \u201cgroundbreaking event\u201d in Sudbury from 10am \u2013 11:30am (rain or shine). May 12, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Photos<\/span><\/a> of Phase 2D Bruce Freeman Rail Trail construction work during the week of April 24, 2023.<\/p>\n Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Guide Presentation<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n April 25, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/p>\n Photos<\/span><\/a> of Phase 2D Bruce Freeman Rail Trail construction work during the week of March 28, 2023.<\/p>\n Photos<\/a><\/span> of Phase 2D Bruce Freeman Rail Trail construction work during the week of April 19, 2023.<\/p>\n April 5, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/p>\n Photos<\/a><\/span> of Phase 2D Bruce Freeman Rail Trail construction work during the week of March 31, 2023.<\/p>\n March 30, 2023 Update: <\/strong><\/p>\n Two updates for this week regarding the ongoing construction of Phase 2D of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.<\/p>\n First, this is another friendly reminder that since we are now into active construction on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, people should NOT<\/u><\/strong> be accessing the rail corridor or actively using it. It is simply too dangerous and, at a minimum, we do not want people traversing an active construction site and getting in the way of the workers and\/or their machinery. As such, we ask that people avoid walking on or crossing the rail corridor until the rail trail construction project is completed.<\/p>\n Second, railroad rail removal throughout the entire corridor will be continuing for the next 3-4 weeks. As many of you probably have seen, the stacks of old rails near the Hudson Road\/Peakham Road intersection are being\/have been removed this week. During the week of April 3, 2023, the installation of erosion controls will commence along with ongoing tree clearing throughout the corridor.<\/p>\n March 20, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/p>\n Photos<\/a><\/span> of Phase 2D Bruce Freeman Rail Trail construction work during the week of March 10, 2023.<\/p>\n March 9, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/p>\n This is a friendly reminder that since we are now into active construction on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, people should NOT<\/u><\/strong> be accessing the rail corridor or actively using it. It is simply too dangerous and, at a minimum, we do not want people traversing an active construction site and getting in the way of the workers and\/or their machinery. As such, we ask that people avoid walking on and crossing the rail corridor until the rail trail construction project is completed.<\/p>\n February 17, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/p>\n Photos<\/span><\/a> of Phase 2D Bruce Freeman Rail Trail construction work during the week of February 13, 2023.<\/p>\n February 8, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/p>\n Construction activity on Phase 2D of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail continues to progress forward. Preliminary vegetation clearing and invasive species removal has been mostly completed in the southern portion of the corridor from its intersection with Haynes Road down to the Station Road area. Rail removal will commence during the week of February 13, 2023. This work will start in the area where the corridor intersects with Hudson Road and head northward. Rails will be cut and removed in sections, and immediately followed by the installation of erosion control measures to allow additional vegetation and tie removal, and grading to get underway. Additionally, Town staff is working to coordinate with MassDOT on a groundbreaking event for the project, likely in late March of 2023.<\/p>\n January 31, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/p>\n Photos<\/span><\/a> of Phase 2D Bruce Freeman Rail Trail construction work during the week of January 31, 2023.<\/p>\n January 23, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/p>\n Photos<\/span><\/a> of Phase 2D Bruce Freeman Rail Trail construction work during the week of January 23, 2023.<\/p>\n January 20, 2023 Update:<\/strong><\/p>\n We are happy to announce that on Monday, January 23, 2023, A.A. Will Corporation and their subcontractor, Stanley Tree Service, will commence active vegetation clearing in the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Phase 2D corridor. This activity will be the actual start of construction in the field for this rail trail project.<\/p>\n The initial work will commence at the southern end of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Phase 2D corridor near Station Road and travel northward. The early stages of this work will include vegetation clearing, including invasive species removal, and chipping within the project\u2019s limit of work in the corridor. This activity will be followed by the installation of erosion control measures, and then the removal of rails and ties in the coming weeks. Grading of the limits of work will begin afterward. <\/a><\/p>\n Field Inspection Reports:<\/strong><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #19, July 19, 2024<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #18, June 21, 2024<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #17, May 14, 2024<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #16, April 10, 2024<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #15, March 11, 2024<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #14, February 6, 2024<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #13, December 22, 2023<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #12, November 22, 2023<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #11, October 12, 2023<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #10, September 12, 2023<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #9, August 23, 2023<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #8, July 21, 2023<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #7, July 11, 2023<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #6, June 22, 2023<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #5, May 18, 2023<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #4, April 19, 2023<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #3, March 31, 2023<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Field Inspection Report #2, February 16, 2023<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n![\"Fuss](\"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/pcd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/326\/2023\/05\/2-2.png?version=d728ec5f130e5d8dc51477f5b03d0ab5\")
<\/a> ![\"Bruce](\"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/pcd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/326\/2023\/05\/1-1.png?version=3279a050afb5625aba24c112367eb622\")
<\/a><\/span> <\/p>\n\n
\nMassDOT has scheduled this official ceremony for residents to celebrate the start of 5.5 miles of construction for this fantastic community facility. The event program will feature several speakers, including Secretary of Transportation Gina Fiandaca; plus, light refreshments will be served. See you there!<\/p>\n
![\"Bruce](\"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/pcd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/326\/2022\/04\/BFRT-Infographic-7.20.22.png?version=5236a504b2ce64cdd1e86c814783e994\")
<\/p>\n