Westborough Kicks Off Active Transportation Plan This Month

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Westborough residents will soon get chances to weigh in on a town plan aimed at improving walking and biking connections.

The Planning Department was awarded a $130,000 Housing Choice Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to develop an Active Transportation Plan, according to a town announcement. The project is scheduled to begin in June, with public meetings, a community walk, bike ride and Farmers Market outreach planned throughout the summer, according to the town’s quarterly newsletter.

The grant will fund a consultant-led process focused on safer, more accessible walking and biking options across Westborough, according to the town.

The plan advances a goal in Westborough’s 2021 Master Plan to build a connected network of sidewalks, off-road paths and bike lanes for people of all ages and abilities, according to the town. Officials said the plan will also build on existing projects including the Boston-Worcester Airline Trail and the town’s Complete Streets Prioritization Plan.

The town said the planning process will include an analysis of sidewalks, trails, bike lanes and crosswalks, along with design guidelines, cost estimates and prioritized recommendations for future projects and grant applications.

The Housing Choice Grant Program is part of the state’s Community One Stop for Growth, a single application process for community and economic development grants, according to Mass.gov.

Westborough officials said updates will be posted on the town website as the process moves forward.

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