Southern New England Trunkline Trail
Encyclopedia
The Southern New England Trunkline Trail is a rail trail
in Massachusetts
.
It occupies an abandoned railroad corridor running for approximately 22 miles (35.4 km) with an eastern terminus at Union Street in downtown Franklin, Massachusetts
and a western terminus at the Connecticut state line in the Douglas State Forest
, Douglas, Massachusetts
.
The trail cannot be followed from end to end, as almost all bridges, including those over major rivers, are unsafe or missing.
The trail continues into Connecticut as the Airline State Park
, which extends to East Hampton
near the Connecticut River
. It is a vital part of the southern New England rail trail system.
The trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail
in 1994, having been acquired in 1984 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management
.
The surface of the trail is gravel ballast.
The trail is designated for use by pedestrians, equestrians or non-motorized vehicles.
The trail passes through the following towns in Massachusetts.
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
It occupies an abandoned railroad corridor running for approximately 22 miles (35.4 km) with an eastern terminus at Union Street in downtown Franklin, Massachusetts
Franklin, Massachusetts
The Town of Franklin is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,635 at the 2010 census.-History:Franklin was first settled by Europeans in 1660 and was officially incorporated during the American Revolution. The town was formed from the western part of the town...
and a western terminus at the Connecticut state line in the Douglas State Forest
Douglas State Forest
Douglas State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Douglas. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation .-Description:Douglas State Forest is a park offering numerous recreational activities...
, Douglas, Massachusetts
Douglas, Massachusetts
Douglas is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,471 as of the 2010 census. It includes the sizable Douglas State Forest, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation .- History :...
.
The trail cannot be followed from end to end, as almost all bridges, including those over major rivers, are unsafe or missing.
The trail continues into Connecticut as the Airline State Park
Airline State Park
The Airline State Park is a rail trail located in Connecticut.-History:It follows a rail line that was known as the Air Line. It was conceived as a high speed passenger rail line from Boston to New York City, shaving off the old route...
, which extends to East Hampton
East Hampton, Connecticut
East Hampton is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,352 at the 2000 census. The town center village is listed as a census-designated place...
near the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
. It is a vital part of the southern New England rail trail system.
The trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail
National Recreation Trail
National Recreation Trail is a designation given to existing trails that contribute to health, conservation, and recreation goals in the United States. Over 1,000 trails in all 50 U.S. states, available for public use and ranging from less than a mile to in length, have been designated as NRTs...
in 1994, having been acquired in 1984 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management
Department of Conservation and Recreation (Massachusetts)
The Department of Conservation and Recreation is a state agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, situated in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. It is best known for its parks and parkways. As of May 24, 2011 the Commissioner of the DCR is Edward M. Lambert, Jr...
.
The surface of the trail is gravel ballast.
The trail is designated for use by pedestrians, equestrians or non-motorized vehicles.
The trail passes through the following towns in Massachusetts.
- Douglas
- Uxbridge
- Millville
- Blackstone
- Bellingham
- Franklin
Trail access
The trail crosses the following roads at-grade which provide access:- Route 96Massachusetts Route 96Route 96 is a northward continuation of Rhode Island Route 96, entirely in Douglas, ending at Route 16.-Route description:Route 96 starts at the Massachusetts/Rhode Island state line, runs to the northwest, and ends at an intersection with Route 16....
, Douglas - parking area - Southeast Main Street, Douglas
- Yew Street, Douglas
- Franklin Street, Douglas
- Depot Street, Douglas
- Martin Road, Douglas
- Monroe Street, Douglas
- West Street, Uxbridge
- Chocolog Road, Uxbridge
- Route 98Massachusetts Route 98Route 98 is a southwest-northeast numbered highway in central Massachusetts. The highway is a continuation of Rhode Island Route 98 in Uxbridge.-Route description:...
, Uxbridge - Elmwood Avenue, Uxbridge
- Route 146A, Uxbridge
- Central Street, Millville
- Old Mendon Street, Blackstone
- Route 122, Blackstone
- Castle Hill Way, Blackstone
- Farm Street, Blackstone
- Mendon Road, Bellingham
- Route 126, Bellingham
- Center Street, Bellingham
- Railroad Street, Bellingham
- Lake Street, Bellingham
- Prospect Street, Franklin
- Spring Street, Franklin
- Grove Street, Franklin
- Saxson Street, Franklin
- Union Street, Franklin