The future of Marion looks more pedestrian friendly

MARION — Two shared use pathway projects will soon make Marion more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly. 

Construction for the 3.8 mile-long project is slated to begin in 2027, after final designs are submitted to MassDOT in February.

The Marion Shared Use Pathway will connect with the Mattapoisett rail trail at Point Road. 

“It's going to be a pretty pedestrian and bicycle friendly environment here, probably in the next six or seven years,” Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman said. 

The final design submission to MassDOT will be completed by February. Construction is planned for 2027 and will possibly be ready for use in June of 2029. 

The new shared use path will bring more foot traffic, economic revenue and possible development to Marion when it opens  in June 2029, Gorman said.

“It creates connection, it keeps people off the roads and it makes people more healthy because they can actually get out and do some recreation,” he said. 

The town will pay for the initial design and engineering costs and MassDOT will pay for construction. Gorman said he doesn’t anticipate needing additional funds.

Marion Pathways Committee is also aiming to extend the Creek Road shared use path. 

Committee Chair John Rockwell said the process, which began in 1997, has been slow. 

Rockwell said he wants to complete this project because residents have consistently requested it. He said in multiple open space surveys, Marion residents have said they want more bicycle and shared use paths.

He hopes to connect the Tri-Town bicycle paths with the Southcoast Bikeway. 

“The goal is to go from Provincetown, [Massachusetts] to Providence, [Rhode Island],” Rockwell said. 

This project will be fully paid for by the Marion Community Preservation grant.