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Sudbury task force previews safety fixes, design steps for Mass Central and Bruce Freeman trail work
Summary
Town staff reported inspections, signal preemption problems, a planned Dec. 18 scenic‑road hearing to remove two trees that are shading a solar‑powered pedestrian beacon, and Phase 3 coordination with MassDOT and Framingham ahead of a 25% design hearing expected in late winter.
Marsha, the task force staff member, told the Bruce Freeman/Mass Central Rail Trail Task Force on Wednesday that MassDOT and consultant Fuss & O'Neill completed an inspection in October at the Peckham and Hudson Road intersection and delivered a contractor punch list, but follow‑up confirmation that corrections were completed is still pending.
She said the Opticom emergency vehicle preemption system “is not working yet at Peckham Road” and the fire chief has reported preemption concerns. Marsha said she has asked Fuss & O'Neill to verify inclusion of the system in the design and to confirm when it will operate.
Marsha also described a recent failure of rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) on Old Lancaster Road: contractor work found drained batteries and solar panels shaded by trees. She said the town filed for a scenic‑road public hearing to remove a 36‑inch oak and a neighboring white pine and that the hearing is scheduled for Dec. 18. “So once that is taken care of, we're hoping that we'll be approved,” Marsha said.
Committee members asked about alternatives to tree removal. Ken Holtz noted moving the solar panel instead of removing trees and Marsha responded that relocation would effectively require raising the panel about 50 feet or providing dedicated power to each crossing, which she said could cost roughly $50,000 per crossing; for that reason the team favored addressing shade rather than installing powered infrastructure at each site.
On broader project timing, Marsha said Phase 3 teams held a comment‑resolution meeting with MassDOT and that MassDOT must coordinate with Framingham on trail connections and parking at Eaton Road West. She said Fuss & O'Neill will revise plans in advance of a 25% design public hearing tentatively scheduled for late February or early March and that task‑force staff is working with MPO staff to seek construction funding in the FFY 2026–2030 TIP.
Marsha also reported that Eversource’s remaining communication‑related work is finishing and that site cleanup will continue into the coming week; she said DCR staff are preparing Mass Central plans for advertisement and anticipate a contractor under contract by February for spring paving.
The task force asked staff to continue following up with Fuss & O'Neill and MassDOT on the Opticom preemption verification, the RRFB repairs and the Dec. 18 scenic‑road hearing outcome. The task force did not take formal votes on these items at the meeting.
