A raised parking lot will be put in next to the Nashua River Rail Trail to provide extra parking for commuters. (Source: Montachusett Area Regional Transit)
Nashua River Rail Trail parking in Ayer will close April 29 and remain under construction until the end of the year, according to Ayer’s Assistant Town Manager Carly Antonellas.
The closing marks the start of a $5.2 million project to increase the number of parking spaces available to commuters, bike riders, and other trail users from 85 spaces to approximately 175. Plans call for construction of a raised deck (see figure), which would provide most of the additional spaces sought by the town.
The project, funded with federal, state, and town money, will also upgrade the pedestrian crossing on Main Street, used by commuter rail travelers as they make their way between the Ayer train station and their cars. The improvements include a bricked crossway with pedestrian-activated solar flashing lights and construction of a restroom at Depot Square. The town of Ayer is raising money to transform Depot Square itself into a “parklet,” once construction ends. Town Manager Robert Pontbriand says the town wants to make the MBTA stop, which is the second most used on the Fitchburg train line, a more positive experience for commuters.
While Ayer officials hope to provide 20 to 40 temporary parking spaces at Depot Square during construction at the rail trail lot, they are encouraging commuters to seek other parking at stations in Leominster and Fitchburg. But Harvard commuters are more likely to head east to Littleton or Acton.
