Rail Trail e-Newsletter November 2025 #10

Hi ,

We're on the cusp of winter now. Today we have a few stories that I'm sure will warm you up.

One is our new report about the N-S trail from New Haven CT to Northampton. You probably remember one or two of the 16 names it used to have.

Yes. 16 different names. After 30 years, CT has distilled it down to one name, but Mass still has 5 different ones. However, it is beginning to boil down to one. Thanks to Christy Bannish in Southwick, MA. Beginning to coalesce. New Haven & Northampton Canal Greenway

It seemed like a good time to assist in the thinking that a long trail should have one name. And since they've been working on building it out for 30+ years, it seemed like a good time to ask the question that has never been asked.

What is this thing we've been working on so diligently for a generation, actually worth. This report came out last week and we'll be hiring a PR person get it out widely. It has been picked up by one outlet so far and I've included it here you.

You'll love it. Enjoy the holiday season.

Best,

Craig Della Penna, Principal

Northeast Greenway Solutions

62 Chestnut St. Northampton, MA 01062

413 575 2277 CraigDP413@gmail.com

In the GREEN area, we have news about the

Mass Central Rail Trail

and perhaps some of the 18 other trails that directly connect to it.

Yin and Yang stories about building 2 new drawbridges. Both on mainline RR tracks--about 125 miles apart.

One bridge will include accommodations for bikes and peds.

While the other one won't.

One is in NY and the other is in Mass.

Can you guess where the problem is?

NYSDOT is building for CSX and AMTRAK, a new double-track drawbridge over the Hudson River that will include a Shared-Use-Path for bikes and peds.

Here's a link to a national RR industry trade magazine with details and imagery about the project including the bike-ped aspect.

Here's a link to a local NY newspaper story about the project.

Here's a letter from a couple of Norwottuck Network Board members in mid-2024. They urged MassDOT to build out the new Draw One Bridge plan near North Station to include bikes and peds.

Several examples from around the world of dual-use RR drawbridges were included. Read more

The new drawbridge in Boston is now being designed, but it doesn't include the bike-ped aspect.

Hello elected officials! Why are we allowing this disservice to continue on?

I remember when MassHwy was rolling out Roundabouts across the state 20+ years ago. Back then, the idea of "Roundabouts" was so new that NYSDOT was brought in to explain them in public meetings in Massachusetts because no one local could.

Are we in this same situation today with the idea of dual-use bridges?

Belmont's Community Path Moves Closer to 100% Design. (with a rail-w-trail segment CDP )

by Mary Byrne, Belmont Voice 11-19-25

With the design plan for Phase 1 of the Community Path at 75% and in the hands of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the project can move toward 100% design.

“It’s a very important milestone for the path to be at this state,” said Holly Muson, chair of the Community Path Project Committee. “It means we’re on track … Mass DOT will [go out to bid] in September 2026.”

The Community Path Project has been considered for more than two decades. Read more

Somerville Completes Installation of Community Path Lighting Improvements

StreetsBlogMass 11-14-25

Just in time for the darkest days of the winter, the City of Somerville has finished its installation of new lighting along its Community Path, a segment of the Mass. Central Rail Trail.

Lighting along several segments of the Community Path was value-engineered out of the path's original construction, which was part of the much larger Green Line extension project. Read more.

Economic Impact Analysis of the NEW HAVEN & NORTHAMPTON CANAL GREENWAY (NHNCG)

is now complete

Completed New Haven–to–Mass. trail could bring millions in spending, hundreds of jobs, study says. By Eric Bedner, Staff Writer CT Insider 11-29-25.

An 81-mile trail stretching from New Haven to Northampton, Mass., that is expected to be finished in five to six years likely will lead to significant economic boosts to surrounding areas, including more jobs and higher property values, according to a new analysis. Read more.

ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS of the New Haven & Northampton Canal Greenway (NHNCG)

Read the Report.

Read the 4-page Exec. Summary

Read the report about the intersecting 104-mile E-W trail--the Mass Central Rail Trail.

And on that same NHNCG corridor, here's a story about a controversy in Plainville.

All because CT. has never updated its Recreational-Use Statutes

Homeowners in a CT town balk at the prospect of a popular bike trail running on their street By Don Stacom dstacom@ courant.com Hartford Courant 11-20-25.

Homeowners along one of the town’s central streets are raising alarms about a proposed extension of the New Haven to Northampton rail trail near their homes, and a state legislator announced Wednesday that she’s siding with them. Read more about this story. And click on the image to the right to see an example of how to fix this.

Here are examples of correct Rec-Use Statutes for CT and VT to use. Sadly, yes, VT has obsolete statutes too.

Welcome to the Roads Less Travelled Podcast!

Love rail trails, bike tourism, or greenway real estate? Have you ever dreamt of operating a bed & breakfast along a scenic trail? Or seen how trails can revive small towns?

Join host Craig Della Penna a Realtor, trail advocate, and storyteller, for quick, insightful conversations where real estate meets sustainability and adventure.

Have a story to share? Book your spot and be part of the Roads Less Travelled. LINK here to the booking, on-boarding site

Michael Akrep is an engineer and lifelong rail trail enthusiast who grew up in Eastern Massachusetts and now calls Western Massachusetts home. With a passion for exploring both abandoned railroad grades and developed trails, he has combined his love of cycling with professional experience as a bike tour guide, leading tours across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Click here to go to the podcast with Michael Akrep.

AND IN THE WHITE AREA,

OTHER NEWS AROUND THE REGION

Since 2019, MassTrails has been championing a growing network of over 1,000 miles of trails and paths across Mass.

These 10 featured rides showcase some of the state’s signature trail infrastructure — connecting communities, landscapes, and experiences. Read more. To learn more about the young artist who has created these great paintings you are about to see, click here.

Franklin, Mass Pols Nail

Rail Trail Holy Grail

Alan Earls Editor, Franklin Observer, 11-18-25

On a cold morning in mid-November, State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) was joined by Congressman Jake Auchincloss, local Franklin town officials and members of the SNETT Rail Trail Committee to celebrate the acquisition of rail line from CSX. Read more.

Railrider stories in NH

Scenic RailRiders hope state will buy corridor, keep them in business by David Brooks Concord Monitor. 11-8-25

The owners of Scenic RailRiders are asking the state to step in and buy six miles of rail in Concord that are slated to be sold as part of the Greenway Trail expansion, a move that would let them continue their business providing pedal-powered rail bikes. Read more.

State declines to intervene in Concord line sale, leaving Scenic RailRiders' future uncertain. Concord Monitor. 11-13-25

Chances for the Scenic RailRiders to continue operating their business in Concord are dimming as the state of New Hampshire denied their plea to interrupt the city’s purchase of a six-mile stretch of tracks. Read more.

(These look like a problem to me. What if people started building these to go on the tracks in their neighborhood? What could go wrong? I actually know of people who are doing this. CDP)

Editorial: Book-end sections of Twin Cities Trail open to the public

Two phases down, one to go.

That’s the current status of the Twin Cities Rail Trail, now that the completion of phase 3 was recently celebrated. Read more.

Wolcott sees Lamoille Valley Rail Trail as a central part of planned community projects

Plans include sprucing up the old depot foundation and renovating the old schoolhouse.

by News & Citizen Vt Digger

October 19, 2025, 6:23 am. (NHNCG) Read more.

AND IN THE ORANGE AREA;

Interesting, "HIGH ALTITUDE" Stories From Around the Country and Sometimes Beyond.

HERE'S A CALL-TO-ACTION BY RTC

Earlier this month, Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri—chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee—vowed that the new transportation bill currently being drafted in Congress will not include funding for “bike paths or walking paths.”

“It’s going to be a traditional highway bill—that means building roads and bridges, laying asphalt, pouring concrete,” asserted Graves.