Public Presentation about the Minuteman Bikeway Extension on February 13

Submitted by the Department of Public Works

The terminus of the Minuteman Bikeway at Depot Square Park Image (c) JMcCT

The Town’s engineering consultant, VHB, is finalizing the 25% design for the extension of the Minuteman Bikeway from Depot Park to the Concord town line. The project team from VHB will present the current plan to the Town at the Selectmen’s meeting on Monday, February 13^th at 7:55 pm at Bedford Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way.

The plan includes construction of a 10-foot wide shared use path on the south side of Railroad Ave and replacing the sidewalk along the north side. It also provides safe bicycle and pedestrian accommodations where the proposed Bikeway crosses Railroad Avenue, Hartwell Road, and Concord Road. There will also be slight modifications to the existing South Road/Loomis Street/Railroad Avenue intersection and traffic signals.

For additional information, please contact the DPW at (781) 275-7605.

About the Minuteman Bikeway Extension Project – Updated on February 1, 2017

The Town of Bedford recently received approval from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to fund the extension of the Minuteman Bikeway. The Bikeway currently ends at Depot Park, near the intersection of South Road and Loomis Street. This project proposes to extend the bikeway by making a portion of Railroad Avenue accessible to bikes, and constructing 8,800 feet of bikeway on the Reformatory Branch Trail, from Railroad Avenue to the Bedford/Concord Town line. The new bikeway will have a 12 foot wide paved section with 3 foot wide clear zones on both sides.

The existing Minuteman Bikeway is used as a transportation corridor for regional commuters as well as local residents. Extending the bikeway westerly to the town line will provide on-road connections to Railroad Avenue, Hartwell Road and Concord Road in addition to providing access to the schools and several Town owned parcels and conservation areas.

The paved width of Railroad Avenue varies between 20 and 27 feet. The pavement is in poor condition, and although it’s in close proximity to the John Glenn Middle School and Bedford High School, it only provides intermittent sidewalks. As part of the project, the trail crossing at the tight curve on Railroad Avenue will be enhanced with activated flashing beacons, and the two existing parking areas will be reconstructed.

For additional information