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Overview and Status

Presentations to the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen

Presentation to the Board of Selectmen in January 2017 (click here) 

History of the Upper Charles Trail reported in eHop February 27, 2022 (click Here)

Pre-Feasibility Studies

The Hopkinton Upper Charles Trail Committee has engaged VHB, an engineering firm, to develop pre-feasibility studies exploring potential alignments for the trail in designated sections of town. These studies are referred to as Phases and numbered in chronological order based on each project’s initiation date. A summary of each Phase follows along with links to reports where available.

Phase 1 evaluates three potential alignments connecting the EMC playing fields complex to the southern terminus of the existing Center Trail. The potential alignments contemplate safe crossing of Hayden Rowe Street (SR 85) and connection to the Hopkinton Public School complex’s Loop Road. This study has been finalized. (click here)

Phase 2 evaluates three potential alignments connecting the EMC playing fields complex to the new elementary school, terminating on Hayden Rowe Street (SR85) immediately north of Water Fresh Farms market. This study has been finalized. (click here)

Phase 3 evaluates two potential alignments connecting Center School to a private parcel southeast of Prestwick drive. Further potential alignments may continue from these alignments east to the Town of Ashland. This study has been finalized. (click here)

Phase 4 evaluates potential on-road alignments from the existing Upper Charles Trail parking lot in Milford to the Hopkinton Public School complex’s Loop Road. An initial draft of this study has been issued. (click here)

Phase 5 evaluates traffic characteristics along Hayden Rowe Street (SR85) to identify potential safe crossings. It was observed that acceptable sight distance is achievable at locations north of College Street. Due to horizontal and vertical curves, it is unlikely that acceptable sight distance can be achieved at locations south of College Street. An initial draft of this study has been issued. (click here).

Phase 6 evaluates two potential off-road alignments between the existing Upper Charles Trail parking lot in Milford and Hayden Rowe Street just north of College Street. The potential alignments may provide access to College Rock. This study is currently in process.

Phase 7 evaluates one potential off-road alignment to connect Hayden Rowe Street at Granite Street with Hayden Rowe Street just north of Chestnut Street. This potential alignment circles the proposed dog park and provides connectivity to Echo Trail. This study has been finalized. (click here)

Phase 8 evaluates potential alignments through property owned by Legacy Farms LLC, working toward connecting with the Ashland segment of the Upper Charles Trail in Phase 9. This study has been finalized. (click here)

Phase 9 evaluates potential alignments through property owned by Legacy Farms LLC, crossing Legacy Farms North Road and onto property owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation in Ashland. This study is scheduled to be performed in the Spring of 2018.

Phase 10 is an area south of East Main Street (Route 135) consisting of town owned land and privately owned parcels. It connects to Phase 3. This study has been finalized (click here)

Other Related Projects

The Town of Hopkinton is currently in design phase of streetscape improvements along Main Street between the Center Trail and Ash Street (the Downtown Corridor Project). The project includes a two-way separated bike facility on the south side of Main Street from the Center Trail to Grove Street where the facility transitions to on-road painted bike lanes. The UCTC has requested that the Town consider keeping the two-way separated bike lanes on the south side of Main Street all the way to Ash Street. A design hearing for the project was held on January 9, 2018. (click here)

BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

Public Safety – Path will provide a safe route parallel to Route 85 for residents to utilize to access the public schools, recreational fields and the center of Town;

Economic Development – Path will provide access to retail and services in downtown Hopkinton and at Legacy Farms for residents and visitors;

Educational – Path will be tied into points of interest such as Hopkinton State Park, Echo Lake (source of the Charles River), Weston Nurseries, Hopkinton Center for the Arts, and the proposed Marathon Museum; and

Physical/Emotional Fitness – Path will increase recreational opportunities and provide access to proximal Town-owned open space and trail systems.

CURRENT STATUS

  • Upper Charles Trail Committee formed in August 2012
  • Currently 11 active members (nine committee members / two alternates)
  • Identified key goals for upcoming year
  • Portions of Trail complete – Center Trail
  • Master Plan initiated by Conway School in January 2015
  • VHB Pre-Engineering Studies ongoing

GOALS for FY17

  • VHB Feasibility Study Evaluation
  • Evaluation of Possible Trail Locations on east and west side of Route 85
  • Advertising via website/media outlets/town functions (Polyarts, Marathon, etc.)
  • Assist w/ set up 501 (c) (3) nonprofit “Friends of the Hop Recreational Trail”
  • Conduct two community informational meetings on trail status
  • Present VHB Feasibility Analysis Results and Status Update to Selectmen
  • Develop a Policy for Press and Media Content
  • Evaluate Trail Funding Options / TIP Strategy

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