Roughly two-thirds of the work is now complete on a “missing link” of the long-awaited Neponset Greenway path between Tenean Beach and Morrissey Boulevard, a public works project that advocates say will be a game-changer for pedestrians and cyclists who use the popular waterfront path. Construction crews have been on site since spring 2023 and state officials now estimate that the $10 million job should be complete by early next year.

Video for the Dorchester Reporter by Connor Nee

“There’s still a lot that needs to be done here but they’re working really fast, and they want obviously to be done as soon as possible,” said Stella Lensing, a senior project manager at the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). “The community has been really involved in the planning initiative for a very long time. This is a project for the community and the community will definitely take ownership, which is great.”

The new 0.7-mile section will offer new views of Dorchester Bay from an elevated boardwalk that will rise from large concrete structures that are now visible along Morrissey Boulevard and the I-93 off-ramp next to the iconic rainbow gas tank owned by National Grid. 

"This is a great step forward in connecting the remainder of the Greenway," said Rep. Daniel Hunt, who pushed the project forward through the Legislature. "This link will safely connect the Greenway from the Blue Hills to Castle Island."

Materials needed to complete the 670-foot boardwalk structure, which includes a “bump-out” scenic overlook near the tank, are due to arrive to the work site on Aug. 17. During a visit last week by Reporter staff, Lensing walked the unfinished route with them and explained why the boardwalk was probably the most challenging part of the project from an engineering perspective.

Stella Lensing, a senior project manager at the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), stands astride a stretch of the Neponset Greenway’s “missing link” construction site looking north toward the city’s skyline. Cassidy McNeeley photo

“I think it was difficult for all of us to wrap our heads around climate change and what the future of the oceans and sea level rise will bring,” said Lensing. “You can see the structure is really large. It was designed for future storms. We have to put design resiliency into our project and think about the longevity of the structure. We’re hoping it’s going to last 70 years, if not more.” 

This new section of the Greenway will also allow users to bypass a hazardous crossing at Exit 13B on the Southeast Expressway that empties onto Morrissey Boulevard and offer a new, safer alternative to walking or cycling on Victory Road or Conley Street. A key section behind Boston Bowl, Phillips Candy House, and the new Imprint Apartment complex on Morrissey Boulevard has been laid out on what was already state-controlled land next to the expressway.

“It’s hard to picture it now but it will have a park feel. There will be trees and vegetation, not just pure transportation,” Lensing explained. “I think one of the most exciting things is we’ve taken a piece of highway layout and we’re transforming it into a park.”

As a safety protocol, sections along the Greenway extension will include a chain link fence and a low guard rail to prevent motorized vehicles from entering while ensuring the trail is still accessible to pedestrians.  This section of the trail will also include a pump station that will help reduce flooding on Morrissey Blvd, she said.

As the path continues toward Herb Chambers Honda, those traveling on foot or by pedal will then turn onto Victory Road and cross the street heading toward the National Grid tank. 

“There’s been a lot of discussions publicly about the crossing,” Lensing said. “It was an option to make the main crossing at the intersection of Freeport Street and Victory Road but because you have a lot of trucks making that right turn and a lot of complications, this was seen as the safest crossing.” 

To make the active road even safer, DCR will add blinking stoplights and expand the sidewalk. 

The rest of the route is much quieter as it passes by the gas tank and its Corita Kent design and onto the boardwalk. 

“We have an agreement with National Grid that they are going to be able to use the trails to access their property,” said Lansing. “We like the idea that we partner with people, and everyone benefits. I can’t stress enough how amazing it is that they’re working with us.”

She added, “This could not have been done without the support of the community. In particular, I have to give a shout-out to the Neponset River Greenway Council. They’ve been really vocal; they’ve been very supportive. They showed up at the permitting hearings pledging to help us maintain the linear park, pick up trash, things like that.”

Rep. Hunt noted that the Healey administration and DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo have been enthusiastic partners to follow through on work that started under previous state leaders.

"This is work that started with then-Sen. [Linda] Forry and former Rep. and Mayor [Marty] Walsh and continued to get done. We appreciate Gov. Healey continuing this effort," said Hunt, who has been closely monitoring progress along the connection over the last year.

Andres Ripley, the Greenways Program Director at the Neponset River Watershed Association (NepWRA), said the group is excited with the progress being made on the project.

“From an equity perspective, from a safety perspective, this connection is going to allow people safely to get to Morrissey Blvd and, further, get into Boston by walking or biking and that would be a huge opportunity for a lot of residents who live along the Neponset,” Ripley said.

The original Greenway trail opened in the 1990s after state leaders converted a 3.1-mile stretch along an old railroad right-of-way along the river into a multi-use trail. Later, a section between Milton’s Central Avenue and Mattapan Square, featuring the Harvest Bridge, opened after another extension project was completed in 2016.

Now, Ripley and his colleagues and members at the NepRWA are already advocating for another new connection for the Greenway on its southernmost side by Mattapan Square. 

“It’s always been a goal to get the Greenway to extend to the Blue Hills reservation which is obviously a massive recreation hub only a few miles south of Boston.”

There’s no active plan for that just yet. For now, all eyes are on finishing up this long-awaited and hard-fought-for section between Tenean and Morrissey. The elevated boardwalk and scenic overlook will likely be the project’s highlight for the public, said Lensing.

“When people have an emotional connection with the environment, they tend to be more stewards of the environment. Everybody will think about where they live and how they live differently. This could be a spot that could bring someone an opportunity to come and contemplate nature or have a little bit of peace in all this madness.”