Community Celebrates Dudley Road Multi-Use Path In Framingham

FRAMINGHAM, MA—Phase one is complete for the Dudley Road Multi-Use Path Project, and a ribbon cutting ceremony is being held at Farm Pond Park to celebrate on Thursday, July 13, at 10 a.m., announced the Framingham Public Works.

“This multi-use pathway is a significant down payment on our commitment to implement our Complete Streets Policy in Framingham," said Robert Halpin, Framingham town manager, in a statement. "When coupled with other hoped for investments in the area, it will play an important role in linking many

assets and locations in Framingham in a way that is safe for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, and which adds significantly to our quality of life in Framingham."

Phase One of the bi-directional multi-use path is about 3,600 feet long and starts just north of the intersection of Fountain Street and Dudley Road and continues along the east side of Dudley Road, terminating at Dr. Harvey L. Cushing Way. It is separated from the roadway by a shoulder buffer of variable width and runs approximately parallel to the existing road, said the announcement.

Framingham got $400,000 in a Complete Streets grant from from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to fund the first phase of this project. A future-planned second phase of the path will continue the path north along Dudley Road and connect to Mount Wayte Avenue where the path will transition to an on-street dedicated bicycle path or shoulder lanes, connecting Dr. Harvey Cushing Way via Mount Wayte Avenue to Union Avenue.

“Our administration is pleased to work closely with the town of Framingham to invest in the construction of a multi-use path, which will contribute to the safety, health, and economic vitality of the community,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito in a statement. “Our partnership with Framingham is an example of how the Complete Streets Funding Program is enabling people throughout the Commonwealth to travel using their preferred mode of transportation including bicycling or walking and we look forward to residents and commuters enjoying the benefits of this multimodal project.”

According to the announcement, the path represents a commitment to providing improved non-vehicular routes for community members to take. The path, too, allows easier access to the town’s parks and amenities in the southwest area of town, and will link residents to downtown transit, employers and schools without the need of an automobile.

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