Wakefield Rail Trail
The current southern tip of the B2B trail runs into the MBTA commuter line here in Wakefield. This makes it the southern terminus unless the Trail can somehow run along the commuter rail until it reaches another abandoned rail bed (unlikely or impossible). We may never get to ride or walk from Seabrook to Boston on the Trail. The Wakefield section was conceived in 2007 but it wasn’t until 2020 that the Trail was usable. Just past the merge with the commuter line is a rail yard and storage area still used by the MBTA. Because of traffic and very busy intersections the Trail really begins at Richardson Street. It’s a wide asphalt surface and makes several crossings on busy streets. Very strangely - and frustrating - as of 2023 the Trail is NOT open to the public, despite the Trail being clear and asphalt finished. The reasons are ridiculous: the rail bed is still owned by the MBTA which has not granted public access yet and the crossings are not ADA compliant for people with disabilities. So despite the Trail being completely usable for almost everyone, people are forced to walk, ride, or bike along the busy main streets. I didn’t realize the Trail was truly closed until I got home and read about it. There are signs but I assumed they were old and leftover from previous use. And I would never guess the delay is because of MBTA paperwork.
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