SWAMPSCOTT- RAIL TRAIL CONSTRUCTION

When fully constructed, the Swampscott Rail Trail will be a two mile long multiuse nonmotorized accessible linear park running the length of Swampscott and connecting with the existing Marblehead Rail Trail. This trail will provide access to municipal facilities, including five schools, recreation areas and natural resources. The trail will run 2.1 miles from Stetson Avenue in Swampscott to the Marblehead Rail Trail at the Swampscott/Marblehead town line. The trail will be situated approximately in the center of the former railroad bed, which is now a 30-115 ft wide utility corridor. The trail will be 10 ft wide with a 2 ft sloping (12:1) shoulder on each side and the surface will paved. For 50 ft adjacent to Humphrey Street the trail will run over an existing 8 ft wide concrete cement sidewalk. The trail will cross five streets at grade and two school driveways safely utilizing a combination of signage markings and flashing beacons or signals in all directions for both vehicles and trail users approaching the crossing. The trail will cross Paradise Road State Route 1A with a prefabricated pedestrian bridge using existing abandoned railroad abutments. The entire trail will be accessible not surpassing a 2% cross slope along its length. Wood rail fence will be located outside the trail shoulders in any areas where the side slopes steepen along the trail as well as through the Swampscott Middle School parking lot to prevent vehicles from encroaching on the trail. Green screening using appropriate native vegetation will be used in areas where neighbors have requested it. Signage indicating the Swampscott Rail Trails roles as part of the Swampscott Green Corridor network and a segment of the East Coast Greenway as well as wayfinding signage will be located along the trail as well as historical markers detailing the role the branch railroad played in Swampscotts history and educational markers in specific areas of interest like Muskrat Pond. Trail amenities will be located at the Swampscott Middle School including bathrooms, vehicle parking for trail users, bicycle parking and a public bike repair station.