Current MCRT Projects

Friends of the Belchertown Greenway and the Town of Belchertown received a MassTrails grant in 2025 to reconstruct the decking of the historic Jabish Brook Trestle Bridge. This is a key link in a 3.9 mile section of MCRT that is popular with equestrians, walkers, mountain bikers and snowmobilers.  

Here is a report on the scope of the project.

The Town of Palmer is conducting a feasibility study of different potential alignments for the MCRT, supported by a MassTrails grant. They are looking at ways to address missing MCRT corridors and bridges, crossing active rail lines, and providing more access for the villages of Palmer to the MCRT. This will create new and safe connections for walkers and cyclists among Palmer’s villages and link Palmer to the other MCRT communities. PDF of map.

The Town of Ware received a 2025 MassTrails grant and private philanthropic support for this project. Working with its partner East Quabbin Land Trust, they will build 1,500 feet of accessible trail. This new trail segment closes a key gap of the MCRT route from downtown Ware to the southern end of a 3.2 mile MCRT segment. Visitors will enjoy this easy passage from Greenville Park to the MCRT – with a scenic overlook on the Ware River. 

Wachusett Greenways received a MassTrails grant in 2025 to make their excellent section in Rutland even better – by removing a section of trail at the Whitehall Road crossing with a slope as steep as 13% grade, and replacing it with a curved horseshoe path with a maximum slope of 3.2%.  The project also includes improving the MCRT Whitehall parking lot nearby.

The build phase of the MCRT Clinton from the Rauscher Farm to the Berlin town line is in progress with construction planned for the Spring/Summer/Fall of 2026 supported by a 2025 MassTrails grant. This phase will include accessible parking and trail access from two locations - the Rauscher Farm and the Clinton Greenway Conservation Trust Trailhead at 447 Berlin Street.

The Town of Hudson, with funding from the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization and their Community Preservation Fund, will develop a shovel-ready design of the MCRT from Priest St. to just off the Routes 85 and 62 rotary in their busy downtown. The Town is providing additional Community Preservation Funds to match a 2025 MassTrails grant for a 25% design of the section from downtown out to I-495. More than three miles of the MCRT route in Hudson are already complete – and very popular.

The City of Cambridge began redesign and restoration of the half mile long Linear Park in 2025, connecting the Alewife MBTA station to Mass Ave in North Cambridge.   Hundreds of commuters, walkers, schoolchildren and others use this every day – and face challenges due to deteriorating surface conditions and narrow sections. The project will create an improved open space for recreation and leisure, more access for the community, and opportunities for safe travel and enjoying the landscape. Learn more here.