The Swampscott Rail Trail is OPEN from the Marblehead town line to Bradlee Avenue.
2024
- In 2022-24, the town Dept. of Community Development has been working with MassDOT and National Grid on additional design and engineering work needed to begin construction in Fall 2027 or sooner.
- A portion of the $850,000 allocated by Town Meeting in 2017 has been spent on this project. All other funding has come from grants, donations, and funds raised by Friends of the Swampscott Rail Trail.
2023
- In 2023 and 2022, Friends of the Swampscott Rail Trail spends over $1,000 on native plantings, and installs the first trailhead kiosk for the completed segments.
- Friends of the Swampscott Rail Trail presents the Town of Swampscott with $150,000 raised from local residents and businesses. The Town is using this for additional engineering work required of MassDOT.
- The Town signs a 99-year ground lease with National Grid allowing use of the utility corridor for the Rail Trail without the taking of easements.
- The Town settles its lawsuit with National Grid from 2021 regarding the taking of easements.
2022
- In May 2022, construction of the complete Swampscott Rail Trail is programmed as a MassDOT project for $8.9 million. This includes a pedestrian bridge over Paradise Road.
2020-21
- In 2020-21, the first two segments of the Swampscott Rail Trail are constructed between the Marblehead town line and Bradlee Ave.