The Everett and Malden sections of the trail were opened with a granular recycled asphalt surface in summer 2012 and paved with an asphalt surface in August 2013.[5][6][7] Iron Horse Preservation completed the surfacing of the Saugus section of the trail with gravel. The Revere portion of the trail opened to the public with a recycled asphalt surface in Summer 2015.
The state committed $1.5 million in February 2018 to complete design of a Lynn section.[8] A $13.7 million construction contract was awarded in February 2020 with the goal of finishing a Lynn portion of the trail, and extending the southern terminus of the trail south through Everett to the Mystic river.[9] The West Lynn section opened on November 19, 2021.[2]
In September 2020 the governor of Massachusetts announced a grant of $150,000 to the city of Swampscott to build a linear park which will link the Northern Strand section in Swampscott to Lynn, along with several other existing trails.[10][11]
Plans presented on November 17, 2021,[12] call for additional expansion of the trail through downtown Lynn to Nahant. A separated / protected trail facility is planned, to run from Western Avenue in Lynn to the Lynn & Nahant shoreline.[13] The state awarded $263,000 for right-of-way acquisition in 2022.[14]
1 2 "Ribbon Cutting for Lynn Section of Northern Strand Path". Bike to the Sea, Inc. 2021-11-20. Retrieved 2021-12-10. On Friday, November 19th, ... a ribbon cutting to officially open the newly completed paving and improvements on the Northern Strand in Lynn.
↑ "Lynn/Nahant - proposed Northern Strand Extension project". Commonwealth of Massachusetts, MassDOT. Retrieved 2021-12-10. This project extends from the current terminus at Western Ave in Lynn and would enable users to reach the Lynn/Nahant Shore via a separated shared-use facility along existing roads.
