For the past 15 years, Wayland resident Larry Kiernan has been working to build a bike path on the three mile section of the Wayland Rail Trail. Kiernan is the Wayland Rail Trail representative that is in charge of the three mile long Wayland portion of the 107 mile long Rail Trail. The tracks were a privately owned rail for about 60 to 70 years that stopped running trains in the mid 70s.

According to the trail’s website, the existence of the trail would be a great outdoor recreational opportunity for all ages. The website also notes the recreational benefit it will provide to children as well as the entire Wayland community and how such a trail will allow users to “explore our community.” At the same, users will have an extra mode of transportation to and from places as the trail. They will be connected to trails all throughout Sudbury, Concord, Acton and beyond, for a total of 26 miles of paved bike paths.

Kiernan was inspired to work on the Rail Trail several years ago when he took his three kids, ages 4, 5 and 6 at the time, for a bike ride into the Weston Woods.

“[We] drove all the way out to the woods. After a little walking, we stepped out to a clearing and ran into a set of train tracks. We could see down the tracks all the way to the Town Center, near my house, more than a mile away,” Kiernan said. “I thought, if this was a path, I wouldn’t have to drive my kids out here; we could bike.”

The Eversource Energy company that owns the power lines above the trail has been helping to advance the production of the bike path. Kiernan noted that since the company wants to be able to get their trucks up and down the trail to more easily get to the wires, they too want the path to be paved and will pay for some of the cost.

Kiernan also noted that the original estimate from the state to build the trail was 4.3 million dollars. Now that the town (instead of the state) is in charge of construction, Kiernan believes that the cost will only be about 15-20 percent of the state’s estimate.

Although Kiernan’s original plan was to make the trail out of stone dust, the Eversource involvement in paying for the cost of of the base of the trail has opened up many more material opportunities such as pavement and gravel.

“We are really just looking for a material that the selectmen and the town can afford,” Kiernan said.

The Rail Trail has already attracted many dog walkers, pedestrians going towards the Town Center and bikers going for a ride. The new path will improve the looks of the trail, attract more people and get people outside to enjoy the fresh air.

“The best part is, no cars!” Kiernan said.

In addition to Kiernan, the Wayland Rail Trail Board consists of David D’Orlando, Kevin Tramposch and Paul Bourget, all Wayland residents. Supporters of the Rail Trail are encouraged to join the board’s mailing list or donate to the fund on their website.

Construction of the rail trail is scheduled to start in the summer of 2016. There is no current completion date.