Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 28, 2022 RIBBON CUTTING | FROM PAGE 1 brating the project’s completion with Town Manager Crabtree were the mayors of Everett, Lynn, Malden and Revere – top area elected officials who are connected to the bike trail project. Paving that began in 2020 now allows people to bicycle on paved paths from Everett to Lynn, mostly along the original Saugus Branch Railroad right of way. There are signposts showing mileage, informational signs and crossing lights at many grade crossings as well as benches and bridges to make using the trail comfortable and pleasant. The trail – spearheaded by Bike to the Sea, Inc. in 1993 – is built in a continuous 7.5-mile stretch through Everett, Malden, Revere and Saugus. It also includes Lynn. A $15.5 million project The Baker-Polito Adminis$4.95 GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 tration celebrated the completion of more than 10 miles of the Northern Strand Community Trail, which is a shared use path that traverses parts of the Cities of Everett, Lynn, Malden and Revere and the Town of Saugus along the rail bed of the former Saugus Branch Railroad. The $15.5 million project by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) was completed utilizing funding from the Gateway City Parks Program. “Projects like the Northern Strand Trail serve as critical assets that link communities and residents across the Commonwealth together,” Governor Charlie Baker said in a statement issued by his office on Wednesday (Oct. 26). “Through the MassTrails team, our Administration has been proud A dense cluster of umbrellas was gathered on the Northern Strand Community Trail for the ribbon cutting on Wednesday morning. (Courtesy photo by Laura Eisener to The Saugus Advocate) to collaborate across state government and with municipal partners and trail advocacy groups to advance these projects that bring numerous environmental, recreational and transportation benefits to communities in Massachusetts.” “We were pleased to fund the Northern Strand Trail, and to partner with Everett, Lynn, Malden, Revere and Saugus to advance this critical project,” Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito said in a statement also issued by the Governor’s Office on Wednesday. “The Northern Strand Trail will provide benefits not only to the residents and businesses along the trail, but also to visitors and those living in the surrounding region.” The trail corridor connects neighborhoods, links residents to business districts, provides access to regional assets, such as the Lynn Shore and Nahant Beach Reservations of the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), serves as a critical component of the East Coast Greenway and improves the quality of life for the region’s residents. Where the rail-trail runs: Here’s a map created by the Governor’s Office showing the route of the Northern Strand Community Trail. (Courtesy graphic to The Saugus Advocate) Helping to make the region “green” The trail also has transportation and greenhouse gas emissions benefits. Provision of a practical, safe route of relatively short distance between major cities helps to encourage walking and biking as an alternative to driving, thus reducing emissions and helping the Commonwealth comply with the Global Warming Solutions Act. “Safe and fun access to the outdoors is a priority of the Baker-Polito Administration, and I am pleased that this project provides residents with a great opportunity to get some exercise and enjoy the Commonwealth’s natural resources,” state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card said. “Significantly, rail trails like the Northern Strand Trail also provide commuters with the option to leave their cars behind, which reduces the release of harmful carbon emissions and assists in the Commonwealth’s efforts to achieve Net Zero in 2050.” The construction of the Northern Strand was supported by the work of the Interagency MassTrails Team, which is composed of staff from EEA, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and DCR. The purpose of the team is to help develop a unified vision for a trails network and translate that into strategic investments, policy innovations to facilitate development of trails, and partnerships with municipalities and other organizations. The Northern Strand trail project is a direct result of the group’s “one team, one plan, one vision” approach to advance multiuse trails across the Commonwealth. “Shared use paths give people a safe, comfortable, and convenient option to walk and bike for everyday trips without relying on a car to get to destinations,” Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler said. “The benefits are countless when it comes to active travel for wellbeing, public health, reducing pollution, and supporting local businesses. Whether people are commuting to work, going shopping, or just out for fun, more than 100,000 people of four gateway cities now are within ½ mile of the Northern Strand,” Tesler said. Following work conducted by many partners, including the longtime advocacy of Bike to the Sea, trail segments were in various stages when EEA took on the project. EEA’s partners on the project included the five communities, with Revere acting as the contractRIBBON CUTTING | SEE PAGE 10
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