~Submitted by Mark Bailey
I support the Minuteman Extension because I want it to be safer to get around town without a car. The project makes Bedford more connected, accessible, inclusive, and responsible. Folks interested in learning more should watch the video. Key benefits are summarized below.
SAFE
- Improves crossings at Railroad Ave., Hartwell Rd., and Concord Road (Rt. 62)
- Improves Railroad Ave. with new sidewalk and shared-use path, striping and signs, reduced flooding
- Installs rails in dangerous areas like Mongo Brook crossing
- Provides stone dust shoulders along 75% of the trail for walkers, runners who prefer soft surface
CONNECTED
- Connects neighbors to neighbors, workers to jobs, kids to schools and playing fields
- Links Bedford east to west, connecting people to businesses and conservation areas
- Connects to the library, Town Hall, playground, JGMS, BHS, and playing fields
- Links to Narrow Gauge Trail, leading to shops, Springs Brook, Fawn Lake, Lane School
- Connects to Minuteman, leading to Lexington, Arlington, and Cambridge, ending at Alewife Station
- Strengthens our position in growing regional network of transportation alternatives
ACCESSIBLE, INCLUSIVE
- Supports users of all ages and abilities, including users of adaptive devices
- Provides safe, affordable option for those who don’t drive or have access to a vehicle
- Enables the trail to be usable for more of the year
CLIMATE WIN
- Supports active transit, replacing car trips, improving health with less congestion, less idling, less pollution. 40% of our Greenhouse Gas emissions are from transportation.
- Addresses drainage on Railroad Ave., increasing resilience to climate change impacts
- If the extension allows residents to replace even small numbers of car trips, this will more than offset the lost carbon sequestration potential of the 4.34 acres of trees impacted
- Skipping just one year of road resurfacing would offset the asphalt carbon cost of project
- No Adverse Effect under Clean Water, Endangered Species, Historic Preservation Acts
- No portion of the proposed project is in Estimated Habitat of Rare Wildlife
RESPONSIBLE
- Fixes Railroad Ave. with $3.2M of state funding. As town road, this is not a good candidate for TIP funding, which prioritizes connectivity and greenways, on its own
- Ensures the Town has the necessary land rights to keep the trail open to all
- Assures access to maintain utilities, such as water, sewer, and fiber optic lines
- Preserves our reputation as a serious partner to the state
Editor’s note: Mark Bailey is chair of the Bedford Bicycle Advisory Committee.
Thank you for this thorough analysis of what we could have gained by approving this project.