Eversource, DCR Open Sudbury–Hudson Rail Trail Segment

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), in partnership with Eversource Energy, state and municipal leaders, and project partners including VHB, celebrated the opening of the Sudbury-Hudson section of the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT), a 7.6-mile multi-use path linking Sudbury, Marlborough, Stow, and Hudson.

Supported by VHB through environmental permitting, design, and community engagement, the project converts a former rail corridor into a paved trail for walking, biking, and everyday travel while linking regional trail systems, including the Assabet River Rail Trail and Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. The segment marks important progress toward the 104-mile Mass Central Rail Trail from Boston to Northampton.

The new trail expands access to safe, off-road travel across MetroWest, improving connections between neighborhoods, downtowns, and open space while supporting lower-emission local trips and commuting.

The trail was delivered alongside the Sudbury-Hudson Transmission Reliability Project, a nine-mile underground electric transmission upgrade in the same corridor. Coordinating the two efforts streamlined construction and prepared the corridor for trail development.

VHB supported the project through environmental permitting, traffic operations, highway design, site/civil engineering, community outreach, and construction phasing. For the utility component, the team led siting, permitting, and stakeholder coordination with agencies, municipalities, and community groups to navigate environmental and cultural resources constraints and reduce impacts.

The team conducted environmental surveys, developed permitting strategies, and supported approvals under the Energy Facilities Siting Board, Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, the Wetlands Protection Act, the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, and federal regulations. VHB also coordinated joint permits across project teams to help streamline delivery of both the trail and utility improvements.

Improvements included rehabilitation and replacement of historic rail bridges, new pedestrian crossings, accessibility upgrades, and a new tunnel beneath Chestnut Street in Hudson.

The ribbon cutting marks years of coordination among DCR, Eversource, municipalities, project partners, and local advocates, and continued progress toward a connected statewide trail network.

"This project shows what can happen when agencies and partners come together around a shared vision," said Josh Cone-Roddy, Director of Highway at VHB. "By coordinating these infrastructure investments, we were able to deliver both critical utility upgrades and a trail that will serve the community for years to come."

"The Sudbury-Hudson segment creates important new connections across the region while reflecting the environmental and historic character of the corridor," added Vivian Kimball, Director of Natural Sciences at VHB. "It's a great example of how infrastructure can deliver multiple benefits at once."

Learn more about VHB's integrated transportation, environmental, and energy services supporting connected, resilient infrastructure.