Bike trail proposed for old Saugus tracks

SAUGUS – Members of the non-profit group Bike to the Sea will go before the Saugus Board of Selectmen this evening at 6 p.m. to get approval on a lease that would allow them to build a biking and walking trail along abandoned MBTA tracks through Saugus.The trail is a part of larger path that will run from Everett and end in Lynn.?We?ve been in favor of Bike to the Sea because it?s going to be no financial impact on the town,” said selectman Stephen Horlick. “We?re going to look at the lease that was presented to us and move the process forward by having the board agree to sign the lease with them.”Horlick said the Bike to the Sea will be responsible for all the work, which includes clearing brush and pulling up old railroad ties.?If you drive anywhere in town today along the railroad lines, the thing has brush six feet tall and 20 feet on either side,” said Horlick. “There?s been a lot of drug activity along these tracks too with hypodermic needles. If it?s all cleaned out and make a space for people to use, it?s going to be an asset to the town.”According to Bike to the Sea board member Steve Winslow, the trail would start at the Revere Line near Salem Street and go past the Anna Parker Playground, past the Belmonte Middle School, through Central Street to Chute Brook and out to Boston Street.Winslow said he?s confident the selectmen will sign off on the project.?Right now they?re considering a lease with the MBTA for a path,” said Winslow. “We?re going to present the details of that on Monday and hopefully the selectmen will vote in favor and we can move ahead.”If the selectmen do vote in favor of the project, Winslow said Saugus can join Everett and Malden in constructing the nine-mile trail, which will come at no cost to the town.?The next step for Saugus would be to work to get the contractor Iron Horse Preservation,” said Winslow. “Bike to the Sea has received some grant money from the Department of Conservation and Recreation that could help the town with some of the crossings and signs. Everett and Malden are pursuing construction of the trail right now and Saugus is sort of the next one we?re queuing up to pursue.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on Twitter at @MattTempesta.