Northern Strand Community Trail Extension, Everett
City of Everett, SITE Centers
Everett, Massachusetts
The City of Everett is building upon the success of the existing sections of the Northern Strand Community Trail by continuing it to the Mystic River. The extension to the south will provide a connection from the existing terminus near downtown Everett to the Mystic River, including Gateway Shopping Center, Encore Boston Harbor, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Riverwalk paths, and eventually destinations across the river into Boston via a pedestrian bridge to be built to Assembly Row. A safe, comfortable path will allow Everett residents a high-comfort facility to bike or walk, whether out of desire or need, and will provide another recreational resource.
HSH has been partnered with the City since the beginning of the project, completing the planning study that selected a concept alignment to meet the physical and environmental challenges of filling this critical gap in the network. The presence of wetlands, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) ballast yard and commuter rail, an Activity Use Limitation (AUL) on contaminated property, and multiple land owners added challenges beyond the civil engineering required to design the path. HSH has completed preliminary and final design for the path, which includes sections of boardwalk over resource areas and retaining walls to reduce impacts to the MBTA property and adjacent wetlands. HSH continues to assist through construction services for the trail extension, which broke ground in March 2021.