Cape Cod Rail Trail

Updated - May 4, 2017

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Town of Yarmouth have worked for many years to extend the Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT) into Yarmouth.  The CCRT is an iconic symbol of Cape Cod and a wonderful amenity for residents and visitors alike.  

The CCRT extension through Yarmouth has been broken down into three phases as shown on the attached CCRT Extension Map.  The first segment of the CCRT is nearing completion.  This segment travels from the existing trailhead at Route 134 in Dennis along the railroad right-of-way to the Bass River and from North Main Street in Yarmouth to Peter Homer Park in Yarmouth, where it will connect with the existing Town pathway.  This segment includes an at-grade crossing at Dupont Avenue, the newly installed green bridge over Station Avenue, and a trailhead with 97 parking spaces located east of Station Avenue (across from CVS).  The first phase of construction is being completed by Lawrence Lynch Corporation who began work in October 2015 and has a contract completion date of October 2017.  The Contractor is ahead of schedule and this segment of the trail may open sooner.

Phase #2 provides the connecting piece between Yarmouth and the rest of the CCRT and includes an at-grade crossing at North Main Street and new trail to the Bass River Bridge.  The Bass River Bridge will not only serve as a pedestrian bridge for the CCRT, but has been designed to also be a tidal restoration project.  The existing 60’ wide bridge will be widened to 160’ to match the existing opening under Route 6.  This will improve the ecosystem of the upper Bass River, as well as improve navigation by deepening the channel and reducing the velocities under the bridge.  The contract for Phase 2 has been awarded to MAS Building & Bridge Inc with construction starting in May 2017 and a contract completion date in July 2018.  The Bass River Bridge is anticipated for installation in late 2017/early 2018. 

Also in the planning stages is Phase 3 of the extension which would extend the CCRT from Peter Homer Park to Mary Dunn Road in Barnstable, traveling over public land.  The improvements include two at-grade crossings (Forest Road and West Yarmouth Road), a bridge over Willow Street and the railroad tracks, and a trailhead with 80 parking spaces located north of the roundabout on Higgins Crowell Road.  A resubmission of revised 25% Design Plans is anticipated for May 2017 for review by MassDOT prior to moving on with more details design plans and permitting.  A formal Public Hearing is anticipated for late spring/early summer of 2017.  Construction of Phase 3 is anticipated to begin in 2019 with an estimated completion date in 2021.

State and Federal funding is being used to construct all three phases of the CCRT extension by MassDOT. 

 
 
 

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