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Note that the Webmaster did not investigate the Border to Boston Bikeway south of the Newburyport MBTA Station!
The Newburyport MBTA Station (Mapblast Map)was constructed a few years ago on an entirely new location for the Newburyport extension of a MBTA Commuter Rail line that had previously terminated in Ipswich.
Looking from Newburyport MBTA Station towards Georgetown
along the abandoned railroad bed .
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
Entrance gate for the service road for the abandoned
railroad right-of-way to Georgetown as it leaves Parking Lot 'A' of the
Newburyport MBTA Station.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
Station house at Newburyport MBTA Station.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
MBTA Commuter train at Newburyport Station.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
Looking north across Parker Street at the abandoned
railroad bed.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
There is no evidence of trail usage on the railroad right-of-way between Parker and Low Streets. Note also that the railroad overpass at Low street is missing, and there is no sign of a trail at that crossing. A sign was noted for a pedestrian route to downtown Newburyport, at the intersection of Parker street just east of the north entrance to the railroad station.
A single track trail presumably begins at the side of the Henry Graf, Jr. Skating Rink at 28 Low Street, and continues north on the railroad right of way to the Washington Street crossing (Mapblast map). The block between Washington Street and the Merrimack Street Overpass has been transformed by neighborhood volunteers into a small park. Since the old B&M RR station was located at midpoint of this block, all historic railroad mileage figures for Newburyport apply at that point.
Looking north through Route 113 underpass.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
Looking north from Washington St.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
New buildings on site of old B&M RR Station.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
The trail then overpasses Merrimack Street and continues on a high railroad embankment to a dead end at the Merrimack River. Note that the railroad bridge is an old-fashioned swing bridge which has been abandoned in the 'open' position. The Route 1 highway bridge is perhaps a decade or so old and is thus four lanes wide in what is otherwise a two lane highway. Thus it may be possible to block off one southbound lane of the highway bridge for trail purposes.
Looking north across Merrimack St overpass.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
Current end of trail at the Merrimack River RR bridge.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
Looking north across abandoned Merrimack River RR bridge.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
Looking northwest across Merrimack River.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
Looking east across Route 1 River Bridge.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
Sign images are from the Manual of Traffic Signs by Richard C. Moeur.
Updated on May 04, 2001 by Kenyon F.
Karl <Webmaster@new-england-rail-trails.org>.
Unintentional errors are likely!
