Newton Gets Grant To Help With Study Of Christina Street Bridge

NEWTON, MA — Have you ever wondered why the City hasn't helped connect the Upper Falls Greenway to nearby trails? Well, with the help of a $56,700 grant from the state, the City is edging closer to looking into the feasibility of doing just that.

The Baker-Polito Administration Monday awarded $4 million in MassTrails Grants to 55 local trail projects, including Newton, throughout the state. The grants are supposed to support the state's network of trails with projects dedicated to the construction, maintenance, and improvements for a variety of public trails, including hiking trails, bikeways and shared-use paths.

MassTrails grants are matching grants and require that proponents provide a minimum of 20 percent of the total project cost or in-kind services. Newton has committed to putting another $14,230 toward the project.

The funds will be used to fill a gap in the Charles River Pathway System by providing: a review of the structural stability of the existing Christina Street Rail Bridge; an estimate of costs associated with providing a safe, accessible shared use path across the bridge; and 25 percent design of the most cost-effective and preferred alternative for a shared use path.

At the same time, DCR is attempting to find the title of the bridge, so that the state can transfer bridge ownership from the MBTA to DCR. Once that's accomplished, it will help propel construction of a accessible bicycle, pedestrian shared-use path connection over the Charles River that officials say will have "immense regional, commuter and recreational value."

For years, several residents have been pushing for the project to connect the Upper Falls Greenway, a mile long rail trail that extends from Newton Highlands to Newton Upper Falls, to other nearby trails.

An abandoned railroad bridge leads from Christina Street across the Charles River, where it connects with the DCR trail system. In connection with its proposed development on the west side of Needham Street, Northland bought property on the east side of Needham Street, opposite where a spur of the Upper Falls Greenway reaches Needham Street. The City, Needham, and Northland have been discussing the feasibility of extending the trail from Needham Street along the former railroad right-of-way to the bridge over the Charles, helping to connect the Upper Falls Greenway to the Blue Heron trail on the other side of the river and restoring the bridge for pedestrian use.

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