The Trail So Far

Overview

The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail from Lowell to Framingham was divided into three phases. Currently, Phases 1 and 2 are complete (20+ miles), and Phase 3 into Framingham (4.6 miles) is under design.


Concord River Greenway, Connector Trail extends from the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail north from the Crosspoint parking lot into Lowell. This section of trail will be a link connecting the BFRT’s northern terminus, the 5.2-mile system of downtown Lowell Canalway trails, the Concord River Greenway and the Merrimack River Trail to New Hampshire, closing one of the very last remaining gaps in the regional 200-mile Bay Circuit Trail. View information on the Concord River Greenway Project

Photo - Phase 1 - Chelmsford/Westford - Heart Pond in Chelmsford

Phase 1: Chelmsford & Westford

This section begins in Chelmsford at the Lowell/Chelmsford line, near Cross Point, passes through Chelmsford Center, and ends at Rt. 225 in Westford. This part of the trail covers a stretch of 6.8 miles.

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Photo - Phase 2A of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail - Acton way finding sign

Phase 2A: Westford, Carlisle & Acton

This section continues through the communities of Westford, Carlisle, and Acton ending at the bridge over Route 2.  Phase 2A is 4.9 miles,

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Photo - Phase 2B & 2C in Concord - Benches at Nashoba Brook Bridge

Phase 2B & 2C: Concord

Phase 2B is the bridge over Route 2, Phase 2C is the section of trail from the Route 2 Bridge to Powder Mill Road in West Concord. Phase 2B & C are 3.6 miles,

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Photo - Phase 2D in Concord and Sudbury of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail - Route 27 crossing in Sudbury

Phase 2D: Sudbury

Phase 2D runs from Powder Mill Road in Concord to Sudbury, where the trail crosses the Mass Central Rail Trail. Phase 2D is 5.9 miles.

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Photo - Phase 3 of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in Sudbury and Framingham, Massachuetts.

Phase 1

This section begins in Chelmsford at the Lowell/Chelmsford line, near Cross Point, passes through Chelmsford Center, and ends at Rt. 225 in Westford. This part of the trail covers a stretch of 6.8 miles.


Phase 2

This section continues through Westford and through the communities of Carlisle, Acton, Concord, and a portion of Sudbury, covering a stretch of 13.1 miles. Phase 2A is 4.9 miles, Phase 2B & C are 3.6 miles, Phase 2D is 5.9 miles.
From north to south, they are:

  • Westford – Phase 2A, opened April 3, 2018
  • Carlisle – Phase 2A, opened April 3, 2018
  • Acton – Phase 2A, opened April 3, 2018
  • Acton & Concord, Phase 2B (bridge over Rte. 2) opened May 2023
  • Concord – Phase 2C opened September 27, 2019
  • Sudbury – Phase 2D, opened in 2025.



Phase 3

Sudbury purchased the 1.4 miles of CSX rail corridor from the CSX Corporation, from the MassCentral, just north of Route 20 to the Framingham line on November 30, 2020. This final section in Sudbury is under design and now scheduled for construction starting in 2029.


Framingham has purchased the remaining 3.2 miles of the CSX corridor in that municipality and is working on the design.