Chelsea Everett Greenway Connector

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), in partnership with the Cities of Chelsea and Everett, is working to connect the Chelsea Greenway to the Northen Strand Community Trail and the Encore Casino area. We are broadly defining a “greenway” as a corridor for walking, cycling, and rolling that is physically separated from motor vehicles. By “rolling,” we refer to other types of personal wheeled mobility beyond bicycling which includes, but is not limited to, wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, and skateboards.

The first phase of the Chelsea Everett Greenway Connector study was completed in November 2025. MAPC and the cities of Chelsea and Everett completed an alternatives analysis to identify a preferred alignment that enhances connectivity, boosts transportation access for residents, improves bicycle and pedestrian safety, reduces traffic and air quality impacts from new developments, and supports future planning for active transportation networks. This alternatives analysis was funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

To create the Connector, two segment areas were reviewed: the first from the Chelsea Greenway at Chestnut Street to Mystic Mall (Chelsea), and the second from Mystic Mall (Chelsea) to the Encore Casino and Northern Strand Trail (Everett). Different types of infrastructure were considered, from shared use paths to separated bike lanes and sidewalks as well as street-level bike lanes.

The study included talking with community groups to gather ideas on routes and design features. The study team also talked with MassDOT and the MBTA about alignment options and how to design a route to connect with expanded rail and Silver Line services.

Ultimately, the study team selected a preferred near-term route (see map) due to its safety features, direct connection, impacts, and cost. This preferred route has segments already built or in development, allowing for a shorter completion timeline. However, the study also determined that nearly all the routes studied are good ideas for future improvements, and can be part of a larger network of greenways, shared-use paths, bicycle routes, and improved sidewalks in Chelsea and Everett.

The Spruce Street segment (see map) will be designed and funded separately by MassDOT. The study team recommends a shared use path for this segment, though a protected bicycle lane and sidewalks are also under consideration.

The next step in this process are:

1. Begin early design for the segment connecting the Chelsea Greenway to Spruce Street. This phase will include re-evaluating routes in Chelsea to confirm if they are reasonable. This next phase also will include public meetings and will take place in 2026 and 2027.
2. Evaluate options for connecting to the Casino and the Northern Strand Trail in Everett as re-development occurs, including the expanded Casino, Everett Docklands Innovation District, and the new soccer stadium.

This webpage will have updates as the study and design progresses.