Funding the Rail Trail:


There are thousands of miles of rail trails across the country. In Massachusetts alone, over 75 towns/cities have transformed their blighted abandoned rail corridors into recreational assets and there are many new projects breaking ground around the state and New England every year.

How are these projects funded? 

Costs for construction can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the trail and funding can come from a variety of sources. Some towns opt for a stonedust surface which is lower cost. Some trails include lighting and fitness installations. Most of the larger scale, paved paths in Massachusetts have been funded through the MassDOT Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). These include some of the most famous trails such as the Minuteman Bike Path and Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Because Dedham is considering a paved path - and the ideal path would include a tunnel and two bridges to make it truly safe and separate from traffic, the town would seek funding from MassDOT.

You can find a full list of MassDOT funded bikepaths/rail trails here:  http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/ProjectInfo.aspx

The Dedham Heritage Rail Trail would go through the same steps as these other projects in order to be put in the queue for MassDOT funding. These steps include: a Feasibility Study conducted by a consultant; a Design/Engineering Plan completed by an engineering firm; Construction of the trail completed by a contractor.


Where is Dedham in the Funding Process?

Feasibility Study:

Dedham has completed the Feasibility Study. Weston & Sampson was the firm hired to do the work.

The funding for the Feasibility Study came from the following sources:

  • $8,000 from Mass Board of Health (grant)

  • $2,000 from Dedham Land Trust (grant)

  • $3,000 from Environmental Department budget (town money)

  • $3,000 from Planning Department budget (town money)

  • $2,500* from Dedham Savings Bank (grant)

  • $2,500* from individual supporter donations

    *Funds secured by the Friends of the Dedham Heritage Rail Trail in support of the Feasibility Study.

Total: $21,000 of which approximately $6,000 came from the town


Design/Engineering phase:

The Friends of the DHRT would work with the Town to begin the process of raising funds for design. The funds would be raised from a combination of state, federal, corporate, and private grants and donations.

Many state/federal/private grants are “reimbursement” grants. All this means is that the town that receives such grants, pays for services that were outlined in the design scope of work and then the grantmaker reimburses the town. This is very common and appropriate. The net cost to the town is $0.

Construction Costs:

The goal would be to apply for MassDOT Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) funds. Across the Commonwealth, MassDOT has paid completely for the construction of hundreds of miles of rail trails. Trails such as the Somerville Community Path, Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Phoenix Bike Trail in Fairhaven, and the famous Minuteman Bikeway and many more were all MassDOT funded projects.

Why does MassDOT fund these projects? The goal for the State is to make it easy and appealing for people to travel on foot or by bike rather than by car when possible. This will reduce traffic congestion and increase the health of residents but most people do not feel safe riding a bike on streets. Car-free paths are the answer.

Because our trail would connect three schools, sports fields, the center of town, and a commuter rail station, it is considered important and a high priority project. These are places that people need to get to on a daily basis and while the trail is a recreation amenity as well, it is because of its utility as an active transportation (non-automative transit), path that is of such importance to MassDOT.

That is why they made it a requirement when they granted permission for the Avery School to be built beside the rail corridor.