Framingham Finalizes Purchase Of 3.5 Miles For Freeman Rail Trail

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham and CSX have agreed to terms that will see 3.5 miles of the company's rail corridor transformed into part of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, city officials announced. A news conference is scheduled for Monday afternoon.

At a recent City Council meeting, Michael Tusino, the city's chief operating officer, shared that the city had not only agreed on a $5 million purchase price for 3.2 miles of land, but they were also close to closing on the purchase-and-sale agreement.

As Tusino said at the time, Framingham had already agreed with CSX Corp. on the purchase price of $5 million for the 3.2 miles of land currently featuring unused railroad tracks. He noted that the city expected the next step to take longer than it has.

The next phase of the process would be the "due diligence phase," Tusino said, in which the city would hire environmental and engineering professionals to complete any studies and checks that need to be done. Tusino said that process would take roughly 6 months.

That process likely won't be the end of the buildout for this portion of the trail, the mayor said, noting that surveying, cost analysis and other steps that could take at least a year or more will still need to be completed.

As it stands currently the rail trail travels through Lowell, Chelmsford, Westford, Carlisle, Acton, Concord, Sudbury, and Framingham, following the 25-mile route of the old New Haven Railroad Framingham & Lowell line, according to the trail's website.

The trail has a 10-foot wide pavement with a 2-foot wide packed shoulder on each side. It is open to non-motorized uses such as cycling, jogging, walking, rollerblading, and skiing.

As for what this means for Framingham, city officials said the deal marks a "significant milestone for the Bruce Freeman Trail, as well as trails and connectivity throughout Framingham and the region."