Support for the Mattapoisett Rail Trail

A COMPLETED BIKE PATH THROUGH MATTAPOISETT IS IN VIEW!

Mattapoisett’s next step towards finishing the rail trail is to finalize design for the last section: Phase 2. The Friends are supporting this process by:

1) Working with the Town to draft a $200,000 MassTrails grant request to the state for further engineering.

2) Fundraising for a required $50,000 local funding match.

Please help us raise the $50,000 to meet the required local match for the MassTrails grant. Any donations received by December 31, 2023 will be matched up to $2,500, thanks to a generous donor!

Finalizing design for Phase 2 will set the stage for accessing construction funds. Once completed, the rail trail will connect with neighborhoods north of Route 6, Village Court, Industrial Drive, the Bay Club and, most importantly, connect with the Marion pathway.

Status and Planning

The Town plans to seek construction funding for the project as soon as practical.

Step 1 – 100% Design: 

Finalizing design for the remaining 1.6 miles of the Mattapoisett Rail Trail (Phase 2) is necessary to build a fully paved rail trail with safe crossings of Route 6 and North Street.

Steps 2 and 3 – Funding construction and bidding:

Once design is sufficiently complete for Phase 2, construction costs can be properly estimated and funding sources identified. Bidding occurs after construction funding is secured.

The current Phase 2A status:

Phase 2A, which runs from Depot Street to the North Street Park & Ride, is the subject of a MassTrails grant request and fundraising. Concept design for this phase occurred in 2023 with a $120,000 grant from MassTrails and a $30,000 contribution from the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bicycle and Recreational Path. Design to 25% is ongoing thanks to grant funding obtained by State Representative Bill Straus. The goal for 2025 is to complete 100% design and permitting for Phase 2A (total cost $250,000) with a second MassTrails grant for $200,000 plus a local $50k match.

Phase 2B, which runs alongside Industrial Drive, was largely designed in 2018-19 and mostly needs updates, which the Town has in hand.

What is the Status of Marion Pathway?

Marion has recently submitted its 100% design for review and state construction funding. Completing the 2.6 miles of Phase 2 in Mattapoisett creates a 12 mile car-free path from the Main Street in Fairhaven to Marion.

We highly value our supporters who share our mission to complete the Mattapoisett Rail Trail.

Thank you so much for your support.

The Friends of the Mattapoisett Rail Trail is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Contributions to the Friends are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.mattapoisettrailtrail.org.