Most railroad rights of way were acquired from property owners in the late 1800's. A variety of legal tools were used, such as outright purchase, temporary easements, or eminent domain. This would be unimaginable today at this scale, but back then there was the political will and the public support to make this happen, because railroads served a greater public good - mass transportation.

Many rail lines have since become obsolete, though, and the corridors have fallen in disrepair. The reasons for this vary, depending on each specific line, but include the rise of the automobile, changes in local demographics, and public transportation at large being considered a phenomenon of yesteryear, and falling out of favor in many communities.

Common sense should tell us that this can only be temporary, and that the availability of energy-efficient mass transportation will once again become an economic factor for many regions. In the meantime, the public benefit of multi-use shared paths, greenways, and linear parks in our communities cannot be underestimated. As a people, a country, a community, we cannot afford that existing rail corridors and the associated rights of way are lost. The Rails to Trails Conservancy and other advocacy groups have come to the rescue and have been fighting for legislative ammendments, heightened public awareness, and the factual re-establishment of at-risk rights of way through multi-use trails in place of unused rail corridors.

Wakefield/Lynnfield Rail Trail Feasibility Study

Rail-with-Trail: Plan, Design, Build

Rails-with-Trails: Lessons Learned

Rails-with-Trails: Design, Management, and
Operating Characteristics of 61 Trails Along Active Rail Lines

The 184.5 mile long Chesapeake & Ohio Canal is located along the north bank of the Potomac River, starting in Washington, DC and ending in Cumberland, MD. The canal was built between 1828 and 1850, and it operated sporadically between floods until 1924. In 1954, US Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas organized an eight day hike up the canal's towpath in an effort to save it from being converted to a parkway. His efforts succeeded, and in 1971 the canal became a National Historic Park.

Web site HERE

The Patrick-Murray Administration has announced that the Executive Office of Transportation has awarded $500,000 in Transportation Enhancements funding for final design of phase 2A of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.

The Executive Office of Transportation was able to allocate this design funding shortly after the Massachusetts Highway Department completed construction of the rail trail’s Phase 1, a 6.8-mile shared-use path that connects Lowell, Chelmsford and Westford. When completed, the 25-mile Bruce Freeman Rail Trail will span eight Massachusetts communities with more than a quarter million residents, and connect with three MBTA commuter rail lines in Lowell, West Concord and Framingham.

“As we prepare to launch a new transportation organization Nov. 1, this award demonstrates our overall commitment to improving the Transportation Enhancements Program and to strengthening bicycle and pedestrian access in every corner of the commonwealth,” said Transportation Secretary James A. Aloisi Jr. “The transportation investments we make should promote choice, healthy recreation and support stronger communities.”

Project for Public Spaces (PPS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public places that build communities

Letter: Rail Trail fears unfounded

Wed Aug 01, 2007, 03:55 PM EDT

Next Wednesday, September 16th at 7:30, the First Parish Church in Needham will host a public transportation forum to address a proposed Green Line Extension from Newton Highlands to Needham. The forum is jointly sponsored by the Green Needham Collaborative and the Needham Heights Neighborhood Association.

Communities across America are using Transportation Enhancements (TE) funds from the federal government to expand travel choice, strengthen the local economy, improve the quality of life, and protect the environment. 

At the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC), we can help you learn how to use TE funds to revitalize the transportation experience in your community. Follow the links to learn the basics of the TE program or to access state-specific information. You can also order free documents or call us for assistance at our toll-free number.

National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC)

See what projects have been funded in each state

See what the budget looks like

View the 2008 Spending Report (PDF) 

MA Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board