PUBLIC NOTICE and OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT ON PROPOSED DE MINIMIS IMPACT DETERMINATION ON SECTION 4(F) RESOURCE – (HARRIS FIELD)
PROJECT: COMMUNITY PATH, BELMONT COMPONENT OF THE MCRT (PHASE I) MassDOT Project #609204 PROPONENT: Town of Belmont This notice is being published to solicit public comments regarding the above-referenced federal aid transportation improvement project pursuant to Section 4(f) of the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Act of 1966 (23 CFR 774). Information specific to the proposed project and its impacts, avoidance, minimization, mitigation, or enhancement measures may be obtained from: Noah Boland, 10 Park Plaza, Room 4260, Boston, MA 02116, (noah.m.boland@DOT.state.ma.us). The Town of Belmont, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) proposes to construct a new shared use path along a 1-mile segment of the MBTA Commuter Rail Line Corridor, from the Clark Street Pedestrian Bridge to Brighton Street, at the terminus of the Fitchburg Cutoff Path. Improvements also include a grade separated crossing via an underpass under the MBTA railroad tracks at Alexander Avenue, which will connect to the Belmont High School campus and extend the shared use path along Boden Street. The project, as designed, will require a permanent easement on a parcel, owned by the school, that contains parking spaces along Boden Street, a sidewalk, and fencing adjacent to Harris Field. Harris field is protected as a significant public recreational resource under Section 4(f) of the DOT Act. MassDOT intends to pursue a determination that the proposed use of the permanent easement for the construction of the shared use path and fence relocation adjacent to the field meets the definition of de minimis (or minor) impacts, as specified under 23 CFR 774.17(5). A de minimis finding is being made based on the preliminary assessment that the proposed use of this resource will have no adverse effects on the recreational activities, features or attributes qualifying it for Section 4(f) protection. All persons wishing to comment on the project should write or email to the address noted above within 15 days of this notice. Comments will become part of the official record and will be considered when making future project-related decisions.
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The Belmont Voice 02/06/26