Thanks to the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, $20 million in federal funding has already been secured for the Bourne Rail Trail. However, the trail’s future hinges on a critical decision: the removal of the Falmouth Secondary rail line. Without removing the rail road track to install the trail, this funding—and the benefits it promises—could be lost. Your support is needed to urge the removal of the Falmouth Secondary rail line so the Bourne Rail Trail can move forward.

Studies have shown that for this project, a "rail-with-trail" approach is not viable due to exorbitant costs (over $80 million), the need for extensive bridge construction, property takings, and an 8-foot dividing fence that would separate coastal and inland areas. Moving forward with trail construction in phases without addressing the inevitable need for track removal would squander time, money, and the opportunity for a cohesive, uninterrupted trail

The Bourne Rail Trail is a 6.5-mile multi-use pathway that promises to connect the Shining Sea Bikeway in Falmouth to the Cape Cod Canal Pathway in Bourne as part of the larger Vision 88 initiative. Project advocates don’t see this initiative as just about creating a trail—but about fostering healthier communities, boosting local economies, and improving public safety by separating pedestrians and cyclists from vehicular traffic.

You don’t need to be a Bourne or Cape Cod resident to take action today! This trail benefits visitors who wish to explore the Cape Cod rail trail and can be another successful rail trail project to point to when advocating for your own community trails.

Take Action

We invite you to join the Friends of the Bourne Rail Trail in urging Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll to authorize the removal of the Falmouth Secondary rail line. 

You can use their form message below to email the Governor's Office. We encourage you to add your personal story about why you support the rail trail. Examples of why you support the trail can include:

• You live locally and see a completed trail as part a crucial part of active transportation and recreation for your community
• You enjoy traveling by bike and would like a continuous trail to travel the Cape and spend money at local businesses

Example Comment Message By The Friends of the Bourne Rail Trail

Message to Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll
Subject: Bourne Rail Trail

Comment:

We urge you to remove the Falmouth Secondary (FS) rail line to enable the Bourne Rail Trail (BRT), a 6.5-mile multi-use pathway connecting the Shining Sea Bikeway in Falmouth to the Cape Cod Canal Pathway in Bourne as part of the Vision 88 initiative.

This project will create a continuous trail along Cape Cod, enhancing health and recreational opportunities, improving safety by separating pedestrians from traffic, supporting local businesses, and boosting property values. With $20 million in federal funding secured for the project by the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, it’s essential to act now, as this funding is contingent upon removing the track.

Years of analysis have shown that rail-with-trail is impossible due to its $80 million cost, the need for extensive bridge construction and property takings, and the requirement for an 8-foot dividing fence, which would socially and physically separate coastal and inland areas

Given the inevitability of the need to remove the track, the currently contemplated construction of phases 1 and 2 (running only the relatively short distance from the Canal to Monument Beach) without pulling the track, will leave the trail well short of the goal and will ultimately prove squandered money, time and effort.

As you know, this project has strong community and governmental support. We ask you to authorize the removal of the railroad tracks, which will transform this corridor into a valuable and lasting asset for Cape Cod.

Email the Governor