Community Path Extension Opening: Info About Additional Lighting, the MBTA Lease Agreement, and Detours

The City of Somerville is thrilled to share that the long-awaited Somerville Community Path Extension will open on Saturday, June 10, 2023. The path will be accessible by 7 a.m. on Saturday. The City of Somerville is looking forward to celebrating this achievement with the community.  More details about a joint opening celebration with the Commonwealth, MBTA, and City will be shared soon. 

The City sent a separate celebratory announcement out jointly with the MBTA. This notice offers a few updates on lighting and a detour around the ongoing High School field construction.

The new segment of the off-street, multi-use Community Path will run from the current end of the path at Lowell Street, through Somerville Junction Park, and along the south side of the rail corridor to Cambridge Crossing. It is a key milestone in the efforts of community advocates and the City to enhance transportation equity, create more sustainable transportation options, and make Somerville a more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly city.

Additional Lighting Installation

The City of Somerville is collaborating with an external consulting team to determine the best options for additional permanent lighting along the Community Path. This process is anticipated to be completed by the end of fall 2023.

While plans for permanent lighting are in development, City staff are currently working with the MBTA to determine the feasibility of temporary solar lights along the path, as well as traditional lighting options if there is not an adequate amount of sunlight along the route.

The timing of installation will depend on when the City receives the feasibility information from the MBTA.

Lease Agreement with MBTA

The Community Path Extension is located on MBTA-owned right-of-way but will be operated and maintained by the City of Somerville under a lease agreement. The historic Community Path between Davis Square and Lowell Street operates under a similar framework.

Temporary Detour (Community Path – School Street to Medford Street)

One short segment of the Community Path Extension is expected to open on a later schedule and a detour will be in place until that time. The stretch of the path between School Street and the Gilman Square T-Stop entrance at Medford Street will be closed to all users to accommodate safe construction of the new Somerville High School Phillip Reavis Field. This section of the path is currently expected to open in fall of 2023.

The detour consists of a protected, two-way bike lane along School Street and Medford Street, providing a safe, efficient route that reconnects users with the Community Path. To facilitate safety on the detour, Medford Street will be closed to westbound vehicle traffic from Walnut Street  

To learn more about the path, visit somervillema.gov/glx and through other City information channels.  

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.