National Grid pole replacement will intermittently close sections of Southborough trails, committee told
Summary
National Grid will replace transmission poles along the Sudbury Reservoir corridor, and the work will intermittently close sections of the Peninsula Trail for safety and access during a year‑plus project, the Trails Committee heard Nov. 6.
National Grid is planning a year‑plus replacement of high‑voltage transmission poles along the Bay Circuit/Sudbury Reservoir corridor that runs adjacent to sections of Southborough’s Peninsula Trail, committee members said at a Nov. 6 Trails Committee meeting.
National Grid outreach teams have told local stakeholders they have secured permitting with relevant agencies and plan to use temporary mats and pallets to provide work access; some trail segments will be closed when crews are actively working for safety reasons. Committee members said National Grid’s outreach staff have been proactive about door‑to‑door notifications, public open houses and coordination with land managers.
The committee asked Recreation and outreach volunteers to be prepared to post notices and use social media about planned closures. Committee members also reported that National Grid has indicated willingness to make a modest trail improvement — grading and graveling a short muddy section near the pumping station — while crews are already mobilized in that area.
Quote: “They’ve been in touch several times just to let us know about the project, partner with us and to really ensure that the community will be impacted,” committee member Kat McKee said. Recreation Director Travis said Recreation can assist with notifications and social media postings.
Impact and timeline: The work affects the Sudbury Reservoir trail corridor and may require short, planned closures when crews are onsite. National Grid’s environmental and permitting teams will manage protected‑species and watershed impacts; the committee said Southborough lies outside known protected species areas for the planned corridor but noted the company described careful environmental monitoring to regulators.
Next steps: The committee will coordinate with Recreation on public notifications and provide National Grid contact information to post at trailheads when closures are scheduled.
