Readers respond to “Part One” of author Vincent Stanton, Jr.’s two-part article on the benefits of the proposed Belmont Community Path from the May-June issue.
To the Editor,
Nice article about the Belmont section of the Mass Central Rail Trail, and I’m happy to hear of progress on that project. Mini-platforms at commuter-rail stations, mentioned in the article, are not only useful for people with disabilities! People in wheelchairs, but also with bicycles, baby strollers, shopping carts, wheeled luggage, etc., use and appreciate mini-platforms.
One comment though: mini-platforms at the east end of Waverley station were mentioned, to avoid problems with curving track at the west end of the station. Mini-platforms are installed at the west end of stations on the Fitchburg line so they all meet the same car. A mini-platform at the proposed location would be inconsistent with that practice unless the entire platform is shifted to the east. Other options might be retractable platform extensions, or to shift the tracks so the curve is outside the station, though that would be expensive and involve service disruptions.
John Allen, Member, Waltham Bicycle Committee
To the Editor,
For anyone in Belmont concerned about safety, cost, or other issues related to the proposed community path, I recommend watching the YouTube video, Revival: The Story of the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway
(https://bit.ly/2tFZixq).
You’ll see how Arlington and Lexington faced similar concerns decades ago when the Minuteman path was first proposed, and how we now celebrate the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway’s overwhelming success.
Mary Elizabeth Liggio, Arlington
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