Shared Use Path Construction (Phase 1)

Open House Public Meeting

Event Date: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 – 6:00pm

Marion Music Hall

164 Front Street, Marion, MA 02738 See map: Google Maps

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Town of Marion are announcing that an Open House Public Meeting about the Shared Use Path (Phase I) project’s Expanded Environmental Notification Form (EENF) will take place on Wednesday, January 31 at 6 pm at the Marion Music Hall.

The open house will be hosted to provide the public with additional details about the project and answer questions about the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office review process for the Shared Use Path (SUP). At the Open House, project managers, town officials, and consultants will share details regarding the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act process for project review and information about the upcoming submittal of the project’s Expanded Environmental Notification Form (EENF).

The Marion SUP project consists of the construction of a shared use path in the Town of Marion from the Mattapoisett/Marion Town line to Point Road, including a path crossing and intersection improvements at the Route 105/Spring Street intersection and a paved recreational path through Washburn Lane. The proposed shared use path extends from the Marion/Mattapoisett town line near Industrial Road and ends at Point Road in Marion, adjacent to Interstate 195. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation – Highway Division (MassDOT) is proposing construction on behalf of the Town, which includes intersection improvements proposed at the Route 105/Spring Street crossing to accommodate pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic. The total length of the project is approximately 3.8 miles. The project is located entirely within Marion’s borders.

The SUP will continue the development of the South Coast Bikeway, a 50-mile continuous system of SUPs connecting Rhode Island to Cape Cod, giving the Marion community increased connectedness to open space and recreation while simultaneously reducing the need for vehicle use. The SUP will provide an overall benefit to the town of Marion with a readily available resource for exercise and enjoyment that can be enjoyed by both local Environmental Justice and non-Environmental justice communities.

The project is currently at 100% design as of December and has provided advanced notice in January about the pending submission of its EENF form to MEPA.

On December 14, 2023, Wareham residents were shown current plans for a shared-use pathway along Minot Ave from Narrows Road to Onset Ave. Engineers are designing separate pathways for bicyclists and pedestrians. Your input and support is appreciated. View the presentation and share your comments with the Town of Wareham.

Wareham residents are needed to show their support for a safe pathway from Main Street to Great Neck RD/Depot ST.  Read the article for the status of this federal and state funded project.