This week marks the beginning of full construction on the Chelsea GreenWay project. According to City officials, the multi-million dollar initiative should reach substantial completion by fall.
Support for the GreenWay project came from a $1.1 million state commitment to Chelsea, supplemented by City Council funding. These resources will enable the completion of beautification work along the shared use path that runs beside the new Silver Line.
According to Alex Train of the Planning Department, “This final part of the Silver Line project
will result in such enhancements as the
planting of more than 500 trees and several parcels will be landscaped, and
there will also be hardscape plazas at key entryways such as Chestnut Street
and Highland Street,”
The shared use path begins at Eastern Avenue and extends to Chestnut Street.
Beyond that point, on-street improvements will continue the walking path through signage additions, sidewalk replacement, and crosswalk enhancements. These improvements will connect the pathway all the way to Market Basket at the project’s terminus.
“I think there is a real opportunity in the
planting program,” Train explained. “This is one of the most intensive planting of
local native species. These are trees that are native to the area, but may not
be prevalent anymore.” Planting native tree species that are uncommon to Chelsea represents another benefit of this initiative, in his view.
The GreenWay concept involves linking Chelsea’s section with other regional greenways and paths, including the East Boston GreenWay and Everett’s Northern Strand Trail. By establishing these connections, planners can create an alternative transportation network—something most experts considered unrealistic just a few years ago.
“We’re working very close now with an
organization called the Land Line Coalition, which is working to try to connect
all of these greenways together,” Train stated.
The MBTA is currently evaluating a comparable expansion of the Silver Line into both Everett and Cambridge, a possibility being contemplated in the near future.
“We are ready to expand the GreenWay network
if the Silver Line expands into Everett and to the casino and beyond,” Train said.
“That could be a tremendous connection for our residents.”
Throughout 2019, work on the project will proceed with an anticipated November completion date. Remaining punch list items should be finished the following spring.
D’Allesandro of Avon has been selected as the project’s contractor.