MCRT 2024 in Review

Mass Central Rail Trail: 2024 Year in Review

As we reflect on a year of progress, collaboration, and momentum, the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT) community accomplished so much to be proud of in 2024! From significant construction milestones to exciting new initiatives, every achievement brings us closer to completing the trail from Boston to Northampton. Here’s a look back.

JANUARY
We kicked off the year with the First Annual MCRT Workshop in Sturbridge, bringing together 50 dedicated advocates, planners, and supporters.

FEBRUARY
The MCRT garnered well-deserved attention with a feature in Worcester Magazine, highlighting its transformative potential across the state.

MARCH
MassDOT hosted a 25% Design Public Hearing for Phase 1 of the Belmont Community Path —a critical section connecting the Fitchburg Cutoff Path at the Cambridge city line to the Clark Street Bridge.
Thanks to support from the Solomon Foundation, work began to map the entire MCRT on Google Street View—making the trail more accessible and visible to all.

APRIL
Mass DCR awarded a $2.3 million contract to construct a new segment of the trail, connecting the eastern edge of Weston to Jones Road in Waltham—another link in the MCRT’s expanding chain.

SPRING Highlights
Cross-State Bike Tour Vision: Planning began for a first-of-its-kind bike tour across the MCRT, igniting excitement and hard work from a core group of organizers.
Sudbury Progress: Key advancements were made on six bridges along the MCRT and the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, while Eversource continued transmission line work along the former MBTA railroad corridor.

SUMMER Momentum
Building Support: We launched an initiative calling on all 26 MCRT corridor communities to submit letters of support to state leaders. Northampton and Hardwick led the way with enthusiastic responses.
RideN2B Announced: The inaugural RideN2B (Northampton to Boston) was unveiled alongside an updated website for FinishTheRailTrail.org.
MassTrails Grants: The Healey-Driscoll administration awarded $12 million through the MassTrails Program, with $1.74 million dedicated to the MCRT. Notable projects included: East Quabbin Land Trust overhauled four key bridges in Hardwick and New Braintree.
Clinton Greenway Conservation Trust built two new access points with accessible parking and signage.

SEPTEMBER
The first-ever RideN2B saw 12 Ambassador Riders traverse the MCRT from Northampton to Boston over 3 inspiring days. Participants included leaders from DCR, MassDOT, MAPC, the Conine Family Foundation, the Lawrence & Lillian Solomon Foundation, and the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. Along the route, six public events celebrated the trail, drawing passionate engagement from local communities.

Additional September highlights:
Ware Corridor Expansion: East Quabbin Land Trust announced plans to purchase 39 acres of land, enabling a critical corridor from Greenville Park to the MCRT section off Church Street.
Waltham Completion: The Wayside segment from Beaver Street to Route 117/Hillside Road was finished, another step toward a completed trail. 

OCTOBER
The MCRT and trail advocate Craig Della Penna took center stage:
Featured on WCVB’s Chronicle and honored with the MassTrails Award for outstanding contributions at this year’s conference which began with a virtual kickoff and video overview dedicated to the MCRT.

NOVEMBER
A 3-mile segment of the MCRT opened in Waltham, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo and Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy.
The Northampton Bikeway segment of the MCRT is closed temporarily for repaving—its first reconstruction in over 40 years. DCR committed to plowing the Norwottuck section of the MCRT, ensuring year-round accessibility.

DECEMBER
The year concluded with an ambitious step forward as Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll signed a new climate bill. The legislation includes a Clean Energy Siting Law, enlisting utilities as partners to advance the construction of shared-use paths like the MCRT. The Mass Central Rail Trail played a central role in the court case that went all the way to the SJC. The Commonwealth will now be able to develop a new 21st century, robust and resilient grid taking advantage of the hundreds of miles of unused former railroad corridor throughout the state.
ALL of the open sections of the MCRT and the major connecting trails have been uploaded and are now visible on Google Street View.

Thank you for being part of this movement. Let’s keep the momentum rolling into 2025 to Finish the Rail Trail!