$500,000 State Grant Will Support Central Street Improvements in Acton

ACTON – A $500,000 state grant will assist the Town of Acton in its vision to create a pedestrian and bicycle network connecting West Acton Village, the South Acton MBTA Commuter Rail Station and South Acton Village.

The MassDOT Fiscal Year 2026 Complete Streets Funding Program will support the Central Street Complete Streets project, improving a high-traffic area that has been identified as the Town’s top priority. A Complete Street provides safe and accessible options for all travel modes — walking, biking, transit, and vehicles — for people of all ages and abilities.

The grant will support a phase of work between Main and Martin streets, including creation of a 5-foot sidewalk on the north side of Central Street and a 10-foot shared-use path on the south side. Other work includes installation of ADA-compliant curb ramps and crossings, intersection realignments, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, lane narrowing and traffic calming features.

Improvements were first identified in the Town’s 2017 Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. Central Street was then ranked as the top townwide priority in the 2025 Plan update.

The Central Street Complete Streets project will connect West Acton Village, the South Acton MBTA Commuter Rail Station and South Acton Village. It also will support future growth in line with the Town’s recently adopted MBTA Communities zoning overlay district along much of Central Street.

The project also aligns with Acton’s goals for climate resilience and greenhouse gas emissions reduction by encouraging a shift away from single-occupancy vehicle trips. It also advances the Town’s equity goals by providing low-cost, safe and accessible transportation options for people of all ages, abilities and incomes.

“The Town is grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and MassDOT for its ongoing support,” Town Manager John Mangiaratti said. “This phase of the Central Street project will allow us to significantly improve safety and accessibility and move closer to achieving our climate goals.”

The Final Complete Streets Prioritization Plan was approved by the Select Board on Feb. 24, 2025, and may be found here.