We are pleased to report that the Belmont Community Path project is well under way! Officially the project kicked-off back in September and since then we have made some major progress. The Field Survey is over 50% complete and continues to progress as we coordinate with the MBTA regarding right-of-way (ROW) access surrounding the train tracks. Thus far, we have conducted property line and deed research, contacted utility companies and acquired existing utility plans, and finished up acquiring the topography of the site. Meanwhile, we are working to prepare survey base plans and compiling all the information we have gathered into one plan that has the most up to date topography, property lines, and utility infrastructure within the project area. In mid-December we finalized the Wetland Delineation Report which was conducted along the north side of Royal Road. Throughout this initial information gathering and analysis stage of the project, we have been meeting with stakeholders and public officials in the Town of Belmont. Some groups we met with include The Belmont Historic District Commission, Middle/High School Building Committee, Department of Public Works, and the Fire / Police Department. In early February, we participated at a meeting with the student focus group at the Belmont High School to discuss the community path. The meeting generated some interesting ideas around biking and other modes of transportation within Belmont, path user groups and ideas for the path design including a possible installation of art i.e. near the school ground. We will be meeting with the MBTA shortly to discuss some project alternatives.

Stay tuned as we prepare for the first official public meeting later this spring in which we will share updates on the project design and the alternatives that will likely move forward in the design.