State to finance design of Somerville Community Path

Big news in Somerville today. The funding for the design of the Somerville Community Path has been officially approved. A group of about 75 was in attendance today at the intersection of Cedar Street and the path as Mayor Curtatone, Secretary Davey, Senator Jehlen and others made the announcement.

Proposed  map, from the Friends of the Community Path

Construction is ongoing on the soon-to-open section of path between Cedar and Lowell Streets. Today's announcement means that the path will continue beyond Lowell Street along the Green Line Extension, reaching Lechmere (aka North Point, if that name is still being used). It appears that work will be done in conjunction with Phase Two of the extension project.

Mixing biking and walking with existing car infrastructure is obviously difficult, particularly in cities as dense as Somerville. The old Arlington and Lexington branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad, the are of the current path, has done wonders linking Somerville neighborhoods with the booming Davis Square area.

For continued updates on the progress of the Community Path, Ward5Online.com, the website of former Somerville Alderman Courtney O'Keefe, is a valuable resource.