Southborough trails committee advances Peninsula Trail planning; MassDEP clears wetland permitting, bids for boardwalk to follow

The Town of Southborough Trails Committee on Jan. 9 heard progress updates on Peninsula Trail work, including a paving contract amendment that delays construction until spring 2025, a grant extension for interpretive signage that will include outreach to Native American contacts, and geotechnical test results that cleared one permitting hurdle for Phase 2 boardwalk work.

The committee’s discussion centered on translating geotechnical and permitting results into a construction bid for a bridge and boardwalk for Phase 2 of the Peninsula Trail, and on using an extended Mass Trails grant period to develop inclusive interpretive signage and maps.

Committee member Kat McKee said the paving contractor’s required professional-liability issues delayed a December paving window but that the contract was amended to extend the deadline through June 2025, meaning the project will be “first in line in the spring” when weather allows. The committee’s initial short paving window in December was missed because contract signing took longer…