Town of Marblehead Hosts Ribbon Cutting for Smith Street Rail Trail Project

MARBLEHEAD — The Town of Marblehead is pleased to share that the Town recently held a successful ribbon-cutting ceremony to announce the completion of the Smith Street Rail Trail Crossing Project. 

On Tuesday, Aug. 26, the Town of Marblehead hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Smith Street Rail Trail Crossing.  

The Pleasant Street to Smith Street Rail Trail Showcase Project adds a newly constructed 650-foot section of the Marblehead Rail Trail in a highly visible part of town. As part of the project construction, the trail was widened to 11 feet where possible and now provides a two-foot section of grass on each side of the trail for increased visibility and safe passing. The project also implemented green stormwater infrastructure and grading to reduce water pooling on the trail and removed tripping hazards. 

Construction was completed by Raffaele Construction Corp of Swampscott. Designed and built in accordance with the Town’s Rail Trail Master Plan, this project demonstrates what a safe, accessible, and connected trail system can look like in Marblehead.

The project also built upon the pedestrian crossing improvements that were completed at Pleasant and Smith Streets in December 2022. 

With the completion of the project, the trail now improves the safety and accessibility for residents and community members of all ages and abilities. The trail also helps promote and encourage participation in active transportation, such as walking and biking.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Marblehead Conservancy Chair Don Morgan, Sustainable Marblehead Chair Elaine Leahy, Town Administrator Kezer, and Select Board Chair Dan Fox delivered remarks.

MassTrails Regional Planner, Cynthia Nelson, was also in attendance.

The total project cost was $143,395, which was made possible through the support of state grant programs and federal funding, including a MassTrails grant in the amount of $60,000 and residual support by American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding.  

The Showcase Project represents an important step forward in Marblehead’s vision for a fully improved Rail Trail. It highlights the community’s commitment to the Complete Streets Policy, ensuring that people walking, biking, and rolling are supported with modern, safe, and inviting infrastructure. The Rail Trail connects residents to schools, conservation areas, civic spaces, and downtown Marblehead, making it both a recreational asset and a sustainable transportation option. 

“We are proud to deliver this showcase project, which reflects Marblehead’s commitment to safe, accessible, and connected spaces. With support from our community partners and state and federal funding, the Rail Trail now serves as a model for modern, inclusive infrastructure that enhances quality of life for all residents,” said Town Administrator Thatcher W. Kezer III. 

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