Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) joined with state and local partners to highlight the federal investments recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives to support the Town of Stow’s efforts to extend the Assabet River Rail Trail from its current terminus in Maynard through portions of Stow. The group gathered on-site for a discussion surrounding the project’s background and impact, followed by a tour of the project.

“With the federal support we passed in the House last week for community projects like Stow’s Assabet River Rail Trail extension, we’re one step closer to securing critical investments that will make the Third District an even better place to call home,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This project will directly benefit folks throughout the region who have come to love the Assabet River Rail Trail, and I’m proud to partner with these incredible partners at the state, local, and nonprofit levels to deliver this support. I look forward to working with our Senators to get this funding, as well as our district’s other priorities, across the finish line.”

“The Assabet River Rail Trail has been a work in progress for more than two decades,” said Denise M. Dembkoski, Stow Town Administrator. “As planned, the trail will connect the five communities of Acton, Maynard, Stow, Hudson, and Marlborough with a 12.5 mile off-road trail. Sections in Hudson and Marlborough were built and opened in the mid-2000’s, and sections in Acton and Maynard, with a connection to the South Acton MBTA Commuter Rail station, were opened in 2018. The remaining gap in the trail system is situated almost entirely within the Town of Stow. This $750,000 supported and submitted by Congresswoman Trahan would support the efforts to extend this system providing regional recreation and transportation benefits. Being a small community, funding opportunities are paramount to these larger type projects that exceed our budgetary capacity and would take years to bring to fruition. We are extremely grateful that the Congresswoman selected Stow and our project as one of the nine projects she brought forward.” 

Last week, the House took up and passed a government funding package that included a number of provisions Trahan requested to deliver more than $7.7 million for projects that will improve the lives of hardworking families in the Third District and across the Commonwealth. 

This package includes a $750,000 allocation for Stow’s river rail trail extension project. Today, Track Road functions as a public access dirt road along the northern border of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge before transitioning to an unimproved trail as it approaches its terminus at Sudbury Road. The Town’s construction of an improved multi-use path along Track Road will provide regional recreation and transportation benefits while also making the current gravel road accessible to a wider range of users.

Trahan was joined by Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan (D-3rd Middlesex), Stow Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski, Stow Select Board Chair Ellen Sturgis and fellow Board Members, and Assabet River Rail Trail President Tom Kelleher.

“The Assabet River Rail trail project not only offers a creative use for old infrastructure, but will help to fill the void of safe and pleasant places to cycle and walk,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan. “I believe that the completion of this project will not only be a positive step towards protecting the environment, but will also enhance the quality of life in our districts, encouraging healthier lifestyles and would extend the Assabet River Rail Trail into Stow to continue the effort of fully connecting our communities. I am grateful to Congresswoman Trahan's efforts at the federal level to secure this money and continuing to be a champion for transportation in all its forms.”

“Representative Trahan's advocacy of this Track Road grant is incredibly appreciated by the residents of Stow, who have sought for over 25 years to make this an accessible link to our regional bike/walking trails,” said Ellen Sturgis, Chair of Stow Selectboard. “As part of the Assabet River Rail Trail, these funds will increase the Stow portion, connecting us to our neighboring communities of Maynard and Hudson and beyond.  The Stow Selectboard thank Rep. Trahan for her efforts and look forward to more partnerships in the future.”

“I thank Congresswoman Trahan’s initiative in adding the Stow Track Road design funding to the federal government package,” said Tom Kelleher, President at Assabet River Rail Trail, Inc. “It was a wonderfully creative addition to the Commonwealth and local methods we have been involved with in the past 20 years. There are 16+ rail trail projects in the 3rd District that I’m sure Lori will continue to advocate for.”

Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative was permitted to request funding for up to 10 projects for fiscal year 2022. Projects were restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. The government funding legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.

###