Waltham Mayor Requesting $9.3M For Wayside Rail Trail

WALTHAM, MA — Mayor Jeannette McCarthy has requested $9.3 million from the City Council to build the Waltham’s portion of the Wayside Rail Trail.

McCarthy's funding request, which would cover the amount, for the base bid, bid alternate 1, construction administration, and a construction contingency provision, was referred to the City Council’s Long-Term Debt and Capital Planning Committee Monday. Work can begin after her request is approved.

The Waltham Wayside Trail will be about 4.2 miles long from the Weston to the Belmont border. It is part of the 104-mile Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT), which will run from Northhampton to Boston.

The Waltham section of the trail will consist of three segments, including Weston to 1265 Main Street, 1265 Main Street to Beaver Street, and Beaver Street to Belmont.

The city has a professional services contract to design and engineer the middle segment of the trail, which is approximately 2.75 miles long. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will be responsible for maintaining the trail once it is constructed.

The estimated completion time is currently mid-2023, according to the city.

Updates on the Wayside Rail Trail can be found here.