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Heritage Rail Trail Feasibility Study 2017

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Heritage Rail Trail Feasibility Study 2017 TOWN OF DEDHAM HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL FEASIBILITY STUDY 2017 PLANNING DEPARTMENT + ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We gratefully recognize the Town of Dedham’s dedicated Planning and Environmental Department’s staff, including Richard McCarthy, Town Planner and Virginia LeClair, Environmental Coordinator, each of whom helped to guide this feasibility study effort. Their commitment to the town and its open space system will yield positive benefits to all as they seek to evaluate projects like this potential rail trail. Special thanks to the many representatives of the Town of Dedham for their commitment to evaluate the feasibility of the Heritage Rail Trail. We also thank the many community members who came out for the public and private forums to express their concerns in person. The recommendations contained in the Heritage Rail Trail Feasibility Study represent our best professional judgment and expertise tempered by the unique perspectives of each of the participants to the process. Cheri Ruane, RLA Vice President Weston & Sampson June 2017 Special thanks to: Virginia LeClair, Environmental Coordinator Richard McCarthy, Town Planner Residents of Dedham Friends of the Dedham Heritage Rail Trail Dedham Taxpayers for Responsible Spending Page | 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction and Background 2. Community Outreach and Public Process 3. Base Mapping and Existing Conditions 4. Rail Corridor Segments 5. Key Considerations 6. Preliminary Trail Alignment 7. Opinion of Probable Cost 8. Phasing and Implementation 9. Conclusion Page | 2 Introduction and Background Weston & Sampson was selected through a proposal process by the Town of Dedham to complete a Feasibility Study for a proposed Heritage Rail Trail in Dedham, Massachusetts. A previous report from 2014, Dedham Greenway Concept Plan, by Rails to Trails Conservancy outlined general information about rail to trail projects and offered initial considerations of strategies to overcome existing barriers to a cohesive and continuous trail as well as opinions of probable cost. While this information was a good start, the community requested a more in-depth look at what it would take to address site-specific concerns along this particular corridor and include current estimates of probable cost based on recently publicly bid projects in Massachusetts. Weston & Sampson has reviewed the initial study and included some relevant information and findings from that document to provide context and a cohesive summary of what will be required to construct the 1.33-mile rail trail currently being considered. It must be stated that most things are technically feasible given unlimited time and money. The question is not one of ability to make this trail a reality, it is instead a determination of the value of the result in light of the resources required to get there. The following study outlines those resources and as well as the engineering considerations required to build a Heritage Rail Trail in Dedham. From the 2014 Dedham Greenway Concept Plan: Purpose and Needs Statement The proposed Dedham Greenway from the Boston City Line to Dedham Square in Massachusetts would create a 1.33-mile public green space along a former railroad corridor. This concept plan investigates the opportunities and constraints affecting the proposed greenway and sets out design concepts that can be utilized by the community for the next phase of implementation. Greenways are one of the few practical strategies that have emerged as an antidote to the problems of loss of open space, uncontrolled growth and fragmented communities; there are multiple ways that trails and greenways can help build more livable communities. Greenways and trails are designed to produce real, tangible benefits that can be summarized by four major outcomes: ▪ Resource conservation: Greenways preserve precious open space, which is crucial to the long-term livability and sustainability of a neighborhood or region. ▪ Health and recreation: Greenways promote public health by creating safe opportunities for individuals and families to engage in physical activities, such as walking and bicycling. ▪ Community revitalization: In both urban neighborhoods and rural communities, greenways encourage economic and community revitalization by stimulating small business creation and improving community quality of life. ▪ Alternative transportation: While originally created for recreation, thousands of bicycle commuters now use greenways and trails to get to work, thereby reducing traffic congestion and air pollution while building physical activity into their daily lives. In addition to these tangible outcomes, greenways also produce important intangible benefits. When the opportunity to build a new greenway arises, something remarkable often happens in a community. Page | 3 Individuals, state and local government, the private sector and community-based groups unite in the common purpose of building a greenway. Greenway building is community building. Project Goals The goals of this study are to define design alternatives for the greenway and to propose additional steps required to proceed to the design and construction stage of the project. Community Outreach and Public Process This project required a robust engagement process with the public. We led a series of meetings with the general public as well as organized groups both in favor and against the implementation of this rail trail. Given that a potential rail trail will run immediately adjacent to the Avery Elementary School and the Dedham High School Field we also made a presentation to the Dedham School Committee. On July 15, 2016 Weston & Sampson presented the feasibility study findings available at that time. The presentation covered potential alignments of the trail corridor as it interfaces with the school. The school committee voiced concerns about student safety. They also noted that the concept of a “bypass route” during school hours may still impact student safety because of the vehicular and pedestrian congestion that has been noted within the larger neighborhood. For the school committee to better understand the implications of the rail trail they requested the town complete a circulation study of this area. The Planning Department has begun to gather that data with an analysis forthcoming. A site walk was held along the entire corridor so that site specific concerns and observations could be made and documented. 800 post cards were sent via registered mail to both direct and indirect abutters asking what they would like to see on the trail. Overall, we have had contact and feedback from hundreds of abutters and Dedham residents, all of which has informed the findings of this study. The following table lists the formal meetings: DATE MEETING 03.19.16 Kick-off Meeting 04.29.16 Site Walk w/ MAPC 05.17.16 First Public Meeting 06.06.16 Dedham Abutter Meeting: Dedham Taxpayers for Responsible Spending 06.09.16 Dedham Abutters Meeting 06.15.16 Dedham School Committee 07.19.16 Dedham Abutters Meeting: Dedham Taxpayers for Responsible Spending 10.04.16 Rail Trail Site Walk w/ Abutters Through the course of this study it has become clear that this potential rail trail has both strong supporters and strong objectors. A series of letters to the editor in the Dedham Transcript have articulated both perspectives. The residents of Dedham, in particular the direct and indirect abutters, are passionate about this topic. Two organized groups have emerged around the potential rail trail project; Friends of the Heritage Rail Trail and Dedham Tax Payers for Responsible Spending. It is worth noting that The Friends of the Heritage Rail Trail raised funds to allow for additional meetings with consultants and outreach to abutters. A mailing survey was sent to all direct abutters and all abutters within 300’ of the rail corridor. The results of this mailing are as follows: Page | 4 Total # of Responses: 150 out of 433 (35%) Direct Abutters: YES = 14, NO = 37 out of 144 (YES = 10% vs NO = 26%, DID NOT RESPOND = 64% 300’ Abutters: Total: Base Mapping and Existing Site Conditions We have developed base mapping from aerial imaging and Town of Dedham Assessors Maps. Those graphics have been included as a base plan in Appendix A. The summary of existing conditions findings can be found in Appendix B. In general, the existing rail bed is in relatively good condition in that it is mostly stable with minimal signs of erosion. In areas where the surfaces are compacted, currently used informally by pedestrians, or paved through previous efforts the path is fairly passable and largely accessible for able-bodied pedestrians. There are several lengths of former rail bed that are impassible in their current condition. They include steep slopes up to Mount Vernon Street (where there was previously an underpass) and zones of volunteer vegetative growth that is incredibly dense and hard to navigate. At River Street, a bridge that spanned the roadway was removed due to large trucks being unable to make safe passage below leaving the bridge abutments but little else. There are a few locations where existing slopes exceed universally accessible limits of 5% for a sloped walkway and 8.33% for a ramp with handrails. These areas can be regraded while being mindful of the surrounding vegetation that is to be protected. Some of the existing trees need pruning or removal simply because they have reached the end of their useful life. Removals will be kept to a minimum to maintain existing screening between the rail bed and abutters.
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