A coalition group including DotBike will be working with DCR, National Grid, Neighborhood Associations, Mass Highway and other relevant stake holders to explore options to make this crucial connection.

SUMMER 2012 UPDATE

After failure of DCR to twice gain federal TIGER grant money to complete the entire Greenway project we've heard that the DCR is dividing up the project into several parts with the hope that it will be easier to get funding and complete work on individual sections of the incomplete Greenway.

While we haven't seen details of this new plan we hear that the Dorchester missing link has been divided into 2 sections; the first from Morrissey Blvd at UMASS to Victory Rd. and the second from Victory Road to Tenean beach.  This may be advantageous especially toward getting the Victory to Tenean section complete.  However we must take care to make sure that the Dorchester section remains a high priority and doesn't get forgotten.

The DCR are expected to present this new plan at the Neponset River Greenway council meeting on Sept 5th at 7 p.m. at the Milton Yacht Club on Milton landing and we plan to provide more info after the meeting.

The submission of a $13 million grant by DCR to the federal department of transportation to complete the entire Neponset Greenway Trail was not funded.  You can read about the proposal at this link: Neponset River Corridor

In 2011 group of Tufts Urban Planning students studied the "missing link" area, including surveying the community, identifying land ownership, and devising options for locating path connections.  This report can be downloaded here:

http://ase.tufts.edu/uep/Degrees/field_project_reports/2011/Team_4_Final_Report.pdf

A white paper was prepared in April 2009 by members of Dot Bike and BNAN that outlines the project, our preferred option for the construction of off-road multi-use path and the current status of the DCR project and related issues.   You can download the white paper here: Dorchester_Coast_Trail_White_Paper.pdf

Gaining right of way access near the National Grid gas tanks was an initial major roadblock.  Thanks in part to our efforts, National Grid, has had productive negotiations with the DCR regarding siting a path on and adjacent to their property that will allow the crucial off road link between Victory Road and Morrissey Blvd. north of the I-93 off ramp.  However, the required lease between National Grid and DCR is dependent on committed DCR funds to this project.  Advocacy efforts will need to ensure that there is enough political and community support for this project so as once funds become available this project will become a priority.

The proposal for the southern section between Conley Rd. and Victory Rd. appears to provide an straightforward opportunity to construct a path on an existing right of way.  However, agreement by controlling agencies and access issues remain to be determined.

In January a group of Tufts Graduate students in the Urban Environment Planning and Policy program will began a project sponsored by the DCR to create a 'master plan' to complete the coastal greenway focusing on this missing link.  The result of this project should provide useful material for continued advocacy toward completion of this project.