Comments
michael_scarn_21 t1_iy0utqg wrote
MBTA be like best we can do is a 40mph commuter rail train that runs every 2 hours.
UniWheel t1_iy1n71a wrote
>MBTA be like best we can do is a 40mph commuter rail train that runs every 2 hours.
In comparison to once-a-day cross-state rail that almost starts to sound good.
That cross-state service isn't really a goal, but more an artifact of the Boston split of the water level route to Chicago.
UniWheel t1_iy1l45i wrote
>Could you imagine a high speed train between Boston and Northampton?
No... because it would go to Springfield.
It should most definitely intersect with drastically improved service on the
[NY]-New Haven-Hartford-Springfield-Northampton-Greenfield-Brattleboro-etc
route, but realistically the Boston-Albany track routing that's viable for a train in this millenium goes via Springfield, not Northampton.
Keep in mind there's never been a route west from Northampton other than the little spur to Williamsburg. To get to Albany, after a reverse move south from the bridge to the Northampton station you'd then have to turn head north up to South Deerfield Yard, then go west on the freight trackage through the Hoosac tunnel and then turn south to reach Albany.
Nexis4Jersey t1_iy1t23z wrote
I believe Massachusetts is planning to have one train per day up to Quebec via Springfield & Vermonter route in addition to the proposed Amtrak Montrealer restoration. Ideally the state should fund and build the Electric option for the SPG-BOS East-West portion and then split Amtrak Regional with half the departures going via the Shoreline route and half going via the Inland route. The ALB-SPG segment should dump Pittsfield and offer a bus connection at Lee and continue on the I-90 ROW to the Hudson Line and connect into into the Proposed Empire Higher Speed line. I saw there was also 2 separate studies on routing a few intercity style trains along the Fitchberg line continuing onto Greenfield and North Adams and a VDOT proposal that adds another Ethan Allen Service to Boston via North Adams/Springfield.
CriticalTransit t1_iy2fovl wrote
Unfortunately the Worcester/Springfield route does nothing for people in the NW part of the region. At this point I would settle for a bus once an hour.
UniWheel t1_iy40vz4 wrote
>Unfortunately the Worcester/Springfield route does nothing for people in the NW part of the region.
Because it goes west to Albany by way of Pittsfield rather than North Adams?
> At this point I would settle for a bus once an hour.
It looks like the bus from Albany to Springfield currently runs just three times a week.
Yes, there's a feedback loop there - service so infrequent as to not really be usable means no one even thinks to check if transit is possible for a given trip, which means low ridership and no justification for running the service.
CriticalTransit t1_iy5ggfa wrote
The problem with existing service is it requires going through South Station or Back Bay which burns a lot of time. If you live in Somerville, for example.
UniWheel t1_iy5gxkm wrote
>The problem with existing service is it requires going through South Station or Back Bay which burns a lot of time. If you live in Somerville, for example.
That's inevitably true of transit routes - they're built where the peak demand is.
We're yet to even get our act together to have one cross state rail service that runs more than at most once a day and that only as part of the Boston split of the water level Chicago service.
Actually building one beats musing about a second.
Note that if you try to drive from Somerville to Northampton you're probably going to take 90 south of the Quabbin rather than route 2 north of it, which is to say, you'll be roughly paralleling the train.
SinibusUSG t1_iy3xwww wrote
Nah, Springfield will never fuck with any sort of train again after the monorail debacle.
Fit-Bullfrog6681 t1_iy7qgde wrote
Flanders for mayor! He’ll get it done!
GeeJimmy t1_iy8j1un wrote
But it put Ogdenville, North Haverbrook, and Brockway on the map!
BasilExposition75 t1_iy0y2dr wrote
Those tracks aren't near straight enough without taking over vast amounts of private land.
PM_ME_UR_BGP_PREFIX t1_iy1ky26 wrote
What we need is a monorail
pkcommando t1_iy3d4q7 wrote
I hear those things are awfully loud.
PM_ME_UR_BGP_PREFIX t1_iy4pskq wrote
They glide as softly as a cloud!
Fit-Bullfrog6681 t1_iy7q7sj wrote
But Main St is all cracked and broken!
Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken!
[deleted] t1_iy29x7i wrote
[deleted]
Granolapitcher t1_iybhheo wrote
No. I can’t imagine getting high speed rail anywhere in this country let alone this state in this century.
fuzzy_viscount t1_iy0sol6 wrote
So nice. Can’t wait to ride it!
3720-To-One t1_iy0zs7h wrote
Is this that same relatively new rail trail that runs east-west through Weston?
LoanWolf888 t1_iy16i68 wrote
The one in Weston is the Mass Central Rail Trail. This new trail will connect to it near Main Street.
DMala t1_iy2b7l5 wrote
Important to note that the connection is not part of this phase. When this phase is done, the trail in Waltham will run between Main St. and Beaver St. To get from Main St. to the Weston-Wayland section will involve some off-road riding and crossing a dodgy, unrestored railroad trestle, or a fairly lengthy detour on surface roads.
Particular-Exam6585 t1_iy2c9tz wrote
Is there a map somewhere?
DMala t1_iy2dvyk wrote
https://www.masscentralrailtrail.org/interactive-google-map
I'm pretty sure you can't actually pick up the 'unofficial' trail from Stow St. the way the map shows, but I think if you cross 128 on Main St. you can pick up the trail from Green St./Spencer St. and/or Jones Rd. The trestle you'd have to cross is at Stony Brook. I've seen it from the end of the Weston trail and... no. People cross it but I wouldn't try.
To get to the Weston trail on surface roads, you would follow Main St./North St. to Church St., and then pick up the trail from Church. Again, I've never tried it, but it's actually probably not that bad.
CriticalTransit t1_iy2fcut wrote
Find the Rockland Trust bank between Main St and Stow St just east of 95/128. (Riding up Main St isn’t great but you could go through Brandeis and Cedarwood, also a big hill but no traffic, or take the 70 bus to the end.)
Exiting the bank parking lot, across Stow St is the unofficial entrance behind a gate that’s usually open or you go around it. Follow the informal path across the old rail bridge, keep going straight and follow the power lines. It’s all rideable except the second bridge which is short. After the second bridge (over the MBTA Fitchburg Line) the pavement starts. On the left there are some easy MTB trails too.
If you want only pavement, find Kendal Green T station and go south about a half mile to the trail. Getting there is more sketchy than some dirt because it’s hilly and shoulder less.
Particular-Exam6585 t1_iy6q1cr wrote
Also F Belmont for not getting their act together on this
Fireandbud t1_iye3mxb wrote
The wayland-sudbury blue section doesn’t exist as any sort of path. It’s mostly entirely overgrown rail tracks. Some of it drainage ditches that are almost always full of standing water. I decided to check it out in person because that section follows my commute exactly
ChemStack t1_iy2eick wrote
You can get on the Weston part of the trail here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3A55dfMBjvHK6Gf8A?g_st=ic
As the other commenter said, you do have to cross a rail road bridge (goes over the Fitchburg commuter rail line) but I’ve done it a bunch of times, is fine/quite safe. Just have to walk across it. The trail to get to the paved section is dirt but pretty clear and can be done with a road bike.
nebirah t1_iy3tfhm wrote
I've seen that bridge while driving by, and I'm guessing it's safer for a certain caliber of person - but not for everyone? Plus, isn't it technically illegal to walk on it?
shaffan33 t1_iy12og6 wrote
Does anyone know when Belmont will be done? I think when that’s done Waltham and Boston will be fully connected at least.
Master_Dogs t1_iy19to1 wrote
A few years minimum, because Belmont is doing it in 2 phases and they haven't even started construction on Phase 1 yet.
More details here: https://belmontcommunitypath.com/project-background/ and here: http://belmontonian.com/news/belmont-community-path-on-the-tip-of-a-milestone/
The second one says four fucking years to a full 100% design, so they're moving very fast 🦥
asmithey t1_iy1dlsr wrote
It's ridiculous how long the Belmont section is taking between catering to the nimbys and who knows what the engineering firm is doing. I know someone that worked as professional engineer on the Winn Casino in Everett and that was 1000x times more challenging a civil engineering project than a 15 ft wide path along an already established right of way.
threenamer t1_iy1h9ms wrote
Yeah, but Karen and Kevin don’t want poor people to breathe the air in Belmont.
Master_Dogs t1_iy42mz9 wrote
To be fair, the Belmont section does have to run parallel to the Fitchburg Commuter Rail tracks. Having to deal directly with the MBTA likely slows things down.
IDK why they separated the project into 2 phases and are taking 4 years to design it though. It's not really rocket science: keep people away from active trains, add some crosswalks with flashing lights (HAWKs if you want to get fancy) and call it a day. Way safer than the existing routes to get out there and way more capacity since sidewalk riding is extremely limited.
2tuna2furious t1_iy3zp54 wrote
It’s fucking bike trail why does this shit take so long 😂😂
Master_Dogs t1_iy41smp wrote
Short answer: the Town of Belmont is filled with your typical pseudo suburban NIMBYs who will stop at nothing to get everything they want and nothing you want.
Long answer: funding trail improvements takes time. Designing them should be the fastest part, since you literally just need to throw down 10 to 15 feet of asphalt and design a few connectors. Things can get a bit complex if you're crossing multiple roadways, and if multiple Towns/Cities/State Agencies need to be involved, things get more annoying. In this case, Belmont's section actually runs parallel to the existing MBTA Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line. This is due to the Central Massachusetts Railroad (of which these rail trails are being built on the old ROW of) ran parallel to the Fitchburg tracks from the Fitchburg Cutoff (now a path in Cambridge next to Alewife) to the old Clematis Brook Station. This is seen nicely on Wikipedia under the Stations and Junctions section of the Mass Central Railroad page.
Ultimately having to deal with the MBTA almost certainly adds some time to things. Throw in funding and their extremely slow planning process... and yeah, this is taking way longer than necessary. At least there's some quieter side streets to take that roughly follow the existing ROW up to Belmont Center... from there I can't wait for the path to exist to avoid taking the busier streets around there.
DMala t1_iy2bne5 wrote
Not that a second option wouldn't be fantastic, but you can already go from Waltham to Boston on the Charles River trails and almost never touch a road except for crossings.
rocketwidget t1_iy3n0ns wrote
I love the Charles River trail and use it all the time, but as the MCRT is built in in Waltham, Belmont, Wayland, Sudbury, and Hudson, it will connect to the Minuteman, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, the Assabet River Rail trail, the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway, the Northern Strand (Bike to the Sea), the Charles River, etc.
It's uniquely going to be a bike network hub.
Master_Dogs t1_iy42bfm wrote
The Charles River stuff basically connects to the Watertown Greenway too (using either Kingston Ave or the nice connector path here), so it could really provide a nice way for someone in Belmont to reach Harvard without touching a City street.
Hopefully one day they extend / improve the Charles River stuff too. No reason it couldn't go past Waltham towards Newton. Just a matter of routing and acquiring or dedicating some ROW to it.
rocketwidget t1_iy45c9v wrote
The Newton improvements might be in the works. First, in Waltham at the Woerd Ave trail end, there's a low stress road connection to the Auburndale Park Path in Newton, going to Comm Ave.
From there, there's a series of projects in the works in the planning stages at least, though, hurry up and wait...
https://www.solomonfoundation.org/projects/riverside-greenway/
I know pedestrian improvements crossing Comm were recently funded by Newton/MA for starters, and one of the next steps, the rebuild of the pedestrian Boathouse bridge over the Charles, is funded by MA for construction in the next few years.
I87 t1_iy16dxx wrote
oh I'm skating this
Its-Finrot t1_iy1heug wrote
Literally just waiting for the asphalt to dry 🤟
Walthamjahmmy t1_iy0sjj0 wrote
There are parking spaces in the lot on the right in the third picture.
tjrileywisc t1_iy1d8pb wrote
Who is downvoting this post? There are indeed parking spaces there (I think on the left side the spots suggest they are specifically for the rail trail users).
fakeuser888 t1_iy28r2y wrote
That parking lot is for a small retail strip mall (Autozone, Dunkins, a bank)
DMala t1_iy2c72k wrote
It'd be nice if they would donate 2-3 spots for the trail. I suspect what'll happen instead is signs with harsh warnings and threats to tow.
TheCruelHand t1_iy2dprb wrote
Cool we can bike to Boston from Northampton, but still no viable railway system.
Fit-Bullfrog6681 t1_iy7qx0h wrote
We can just string together some covered, electric recumbent bikes…
QueenOfBrews t1_iy0tyw0 wrote
This is so awesome, I love that the progress is moving.
geminimad4 t1_iy0wbhe wrote
Where in Waltham is this ... I'm thinking maybe Lexington Street?
Ruleseventysix t1_iy14v2r wrote
Well it crosses Lexington, yes. You can see where in the pic near the police station. Well, the AutoZone. The police station is on your right from that pic.
chilisprout t1_iy1nt3o wrote
Linden Street west to Hammond Street?
Ruleseventysix t1_iy1p5j4 wrote
No idea, only have seen the work they're doing around Bacon St near the Athletic fields to Lexington st. Think it starts near the highway by Starbucks
wgc123 t1_iy4h7qx wrote
Yes, you can see it
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on Lexington st, by Autozone
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on Bacon st
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on prospect hill
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and you may be able to see it crossing the road up to Market Basket but I don’t know if that’s under construction
grayscalecrash t1_iy1h3ak wrote
NoHo? I’m here for it.
CriticalTransit t1_iy2g07r wrote
Wow. It’s amazing how fast they can build stuff when they actually want to. I was there in the summer and the old rails were still there with trees growing in them.
From what I can tell via recent google maps images, construction is happening from Hillside Rd (near 128) all the way east to Linden St and possibly Beaver St. Basically all of the Waltham section. I really appreciate the city doing it all at once instead of wasting time and money splitting it up into tiny segments. I hope they can be convinced to plow it.
Master_Dogs t1_iy40el9 wrote
> I really appreciate the city doing it all at once instead of wasting time and money splitting it up into tiny segments.
The town of Belmont has entered the chat
They're literally going to take 5 years or more to design, fund and build their tiny 2 mile stretch over two fucking phases. 🦥
justlikethewwdove t1_iy51elq wrote
Not to mention the whole Boston-Northampton project was first conceived in the early to mid-90s. This has been a 30 year long process with no end in sight. It's part of the reason why, as much as I love off-road biking, I've become a bit of a skeptic about the rail trail movement. And I'm wondering if it's a good idea to be using these prime rights of way for bike use exclusively -- maybe we need to be promoting the restoration of rail instead or maybe even dual use if possible? Because of the other two east-west lines across the state this isn't a huge issue for MCRT specifically but could be elsewhere. At the very least we need to overcome suburban NIMBYism and to do that we need to resurrect Sylvester Baxter's visionary 1890 plan for Boston to become an integrated metropolis/city-state.
Master_Dogs t1_iy5gvr1 wrote
> It's part of the reason why, as much as I love off-road biking, I've become a bit of a skeptic about the rail trail movement. And I'm wondering if it's a good idea to be using these prime rights of way for bike use exclusively -- maybe we need to be promoting the restoration of rail instead or maybe even dual use if possible?
A few things:
- Rail trails aren't for bike use exclusively. They may be the most visible use, particular on corridors like the Minute Man which has a strong bike commuter community, but they are ultimately multi use. Maybe we need to frame these trails differently from a marketing/PR POV though, since NIMBYs do feel a strong urge to latch onto the "crazy biker mowing down pedestrian" stereotype which is misleading and overblown.
- I think rail w/a trail is a good model, and I've rather see that, but these ROWs are pretty narrow to support that. Most were double tracked at one point, but ROW has been encroached upon for decades so they tend to end up pretty narrow. Finding 15 feet of space plus some space for greenery and trees is hard enough at points. We can't just throw down a single rail track and call it a day either; we'd need double track sections for safe passing of trains, we'd probably want electric trains for maximum efficiency and headways; we'd want to fix all the at grade crossings if we want safer crossings and faster trains... etc. We could do subway style trains instead, but each mile of subway costs half a billion in the US at best... so for a few miles of transit expansion the State needs to drop several billion (see GLX in Somerville/Medford, a $1 to $2B project depending on what you count). It would be AWESOME if we could actually support transit and multi use pedestrian/cycling infrastructure but I don't see much political support for actual transit improvements beyond token improvements (GLX is good enough for most politicians, now let's spend $10B on highways!!! Even if that makes 0 sense).
- I think we really need to streamline these things and remove a LOT or maybe ALL of the local input. NIMBYs shouldn't get a dozen community meetings to bitch about every little thing about a project. We've built dozens of rail trails in MA. The State, be it MassDOT, DCR, the MBTA, etc, all know how to handle multi use trails. The Feds have guidelines for this too if we really need a second opinion. We do not need some input from NIMBYs in Belmont who want to be super duper helpful by suggesting a dozen costly improvements that will take years to implement.
> At the very least we need to overcome suburban NIMBYism and to do that we need to resurrect Sylvester Baxter's visionary 1890 plan for Boston to become an integrated metropolis/city-state.
I don't know much or anything about Sylvester Baxter, but I think we just need to start ignoring NIMBYs. We've given them too much political and PR power by broadcasting their vocal minority views. Rail trails are an excellent use of ROW if we're not actually going to build transit. We should take every mile of unused track that the MBTA/MassDOT/local freight companies own and start ripping them out or improving them. There's no need to wait 3 decades to find out if CSX or Pam Am or whoever actually wants that freight line. Take it by eminent domain and build some trails on it. Add a clause for transit and if we ever get serious about dumping tens of billions into the MBTA we'll replace the trails with trains and maybe subways + a trail above or if space permits a commuter rail train + trail.
rocketwidget t1_iy55wh6 wrote
Arguably... Waltham's rail trail is getting built in 4 or 5 segments depending on how you count, haha.
There's a tiny segment that was built a few years ago as part of the construction project off 128 that includes Market Basket, etc.
This is the main 2.75 miles. It will start after that tiny segment.
Connecting to the Weston Trail over 128 and the rail tracks, using the two existing train bridges, is under design now by DCR, and it's unclear who will fund it right now. It's probably going to incorporate road changes on Main St/117 and Stow St. built by the unrelated 1265 Main roadway/development project. (This is the part I'm not sure is 1 or 2).
Also, the East end of the trail, `0.5 miles, will be unfinished, presumably until Belmont finishes Belmont Phase 2? I haven't heard much about this part, but it seems like it should be much simpler than the West connection to Weston?
DMala t1_iy2bzbw wrote
I'm curious, is the little jog just before it gets to the road supposed to be a speed deterrent, to dissuade people from just darting out into the street? I've seen that on a number of other rail trails and I've always wondered about it.
masteinhauser t1_iy3hose wrote
Yes, precisely this. It was brought up during the initial engineering outreach at the 25% design and they stated "We have learned since building the Minutemen how to design for speed and safety."
The Minutemen is a joy to ride because it doesn't have anything like this, of course, but it's also why there are more high speed (relatively) crashes both with cyclists and vehicles at street crossings.
Ihavecometochewbbgum t1_iy46jkn wrote
You should post this in @fuckcars those guys are going to lose their minds
Watti88 t1_iy36xqy wrote
The Hudson to Sudbury connection should be coming online in the next year or 2. At that point Hudson to Boston should be complete.
masteinhauser t1_iy3i0ru wrote
Due to Belmont likely taking longer, this won't be entirely true on the Mass Central Rail Trail, at least. Belmont's Phase 2 is fully funded but currently for 2025-26 construction. It could get moved up due to other projects being delayed, or like the Bedford towns refusal to pave the (already funded) Reformatory Branch Trail. Belmont's Phase 1 (the western section, actually) is still in the 25% design phase.
Trimere t1_iy4eigm wrote
How many stops in between? Can’t imagine how long that’ll take if there’s stops all along the way.
Illustrious-Nose3100 t1_iy4gdj4 wrote
Unlocked: The ultimate commuter
Whyisthissobroken t1_iy4kjxd wrote
How wide is it - hard to tell from the perspective. Will this be a walk to the right, bike in the center type arrangement?
Exit_127 OP t1_iy5ripj wrote
Yes similar to DCR path width
ratbas t1_iy66kk0 wrote
Looks like I'll have to reshoot this again.
Particular-Exam6585 t1_iy6pg5x wrote
That was awesome!
letsgotime t1_iydb7cp wrote
Those parts where he had to cross the road where scary.
[deleted] t1_iy1hid6 wrote
[deleted]
letsgotime t1_iydaw5m wrote
This makes me happy.
ShoreNorth9 t1_iy1ht3v wrote
Turn it into a train line.
rocketwidget t1_iy48o0x wrote
Technically speaking, the MBTA owns the MCRT ROW and reserves the right to reactivate rail service!
That said, I'm firmly in the rail trail camp and I'm also certain rail activation just isn't happening for multiple reasons.
That said, based on public reaction to certain segments of this trail, I'm morbidly curious what public opposition to a new rail service proposal would look like 😄
Fit-Bullfrog6681 t1_iy7qtdn wrote
What about us brain-dead slobs? Will we be given cushy jobs?
rocketwidget t1_iy8n48x wrote
Haha. New rail service or not, the MBTA has a big staffing problem either way. Probably doesn't move the needle.
TywinShitsGold t1_iy0pked wrote
Could you imagine a high speed train between Boston and Northampton?