Photo slugged sidewalk. CUTLINE: A comprehensive inventory of Marblehead’s 72 miles of sidewalks shows that 92% are asphalt, with only 10% rated in good or excellent condition. The heat map highlights areas of highest pedestrian usage, aiding the town’s prioritization of $61 million in infrastructure improvements.
Photo slugged sidewalk2. CUTLINE: The Pedestrian Usage Score Map illustrates areas of high pedestrian activity, focusing on schools, libraries and business zones. This data is central to prioritizing upgrades in Marblehead’s $61 million infrastructure improvement plan.
OVERLINE: TOWER WAY
HEADLINE: New report details $61M worth of pedestrian infrastructure, maintenance needs
By Will Dowd
A comprehensive assessment of Marblehead’s pedestrian infrastructure has revealed the town needs more than $61 million in sidewalk and curb ramp improvements to meet accessibility standards and safety goals.
The Infrastructure Improvement Plan for Sidewalks and Curb Ramps, completed in October by Environmental Partners Group, LLC, documents the condition of 71 miles of sidewalks and identifies 560 existing curb ramps throughout town, with another 550 locations where new ramps are needed.
The $179,000 assessment, funded through Chapter 90 state transportation funds, provides Marblehead with its first comprehensive sidewalk inventory since the 1980s and will help guide infrastructure investments.
“It required a lot of boots on the ground,” said Amy McHugh, Marblehead’s Department of Public Works director. “The scope of work needed is significant, but now we have the data to make informed decisions about priorities.”
The study found that 92% of Marblehead’s sidewalks are asphalt, with only 10% currently rated in good or excellent condition. The assessment identified 424 maintenance points requiring attention, ranging from overgrown vegetation to structural issues and physical obstacles.
“We’ve gotten quite a few over the years now,” Blaisdell said. “But my big thing would probably be public places like bus stops, schools, you know, and then Old Town and downtown.”
While the price tag may cause sticker shock, McHugh emphasized that the plan is meant to be integrated with other infrastructure initiatives, including road paving, utility upgrades and complete streets projects.
“We want a holistic approach to street improvements,” McHugh said. “If we’re going to dig up a street for gas lines or water mains, we want to coordinate that with sidewalk improvements and repaving. It’s about working smarter.”
The plan introduces a sophisticated prioritization system that weighs multiple factors: sidewalk condition (45%), pedestrian usage (35%) and functional classification of adjacent roads (20%). Engineers used geographic-information-system mapping to create heat maps showing areas of highest pedestrian activity, particularly around schools, business districts and community facilities.
Local disability advocates say the infrastructure assessment confirms what many residents with mobility challenges have long experienced firsthand.
“They’re awful,” said Laurie Blaisdell, chair of the Marblehead Disabilities Commission, describing the town’s sidewalks. “Downtown, like five corners might be okay, but other than that, a lot of streets and roads don’t have a sidewalk, or they’re really in bad shape.”
The assessment’s findings about curb ramps are particularly significant for accessibility. Of Marblehead’s existing curb ramps, approximately 76% don’t meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards and will need reconstruction. Blaisdell noted that while progress has been made in recent years, with new sidewalk projects required by law to include proper curb ramps, many areas still need improvement.
The town is already taking action. Some of the $15.5 million override in 2022 has already been put to work, with completed sidewalk improvements on Lafayette Street, State Street and Commercial Street.
“Sidewalks are personal in a way that other infrastructure isn’t,” McHugh explained. “You’re touching people’s trees, their lawns, their parking. These changes affect daily life in very visible ways.”
McHugh noted efforts to reduce the impact of tree roots on sidewalks: Following the passage of the so- called “set back tree” bylaw change under Article 42 at the 2023 Town Meeting, the town can now work with property owners to place new trees behind sidewalks on private property through easements, potentially preserving the green character of neighborhoods while allowing for compliant sidewalk widths.
“Trees seek water, which is why their roots often damage sidewalks,” McHugh said. “By placing new trees behind the sidewalk in yards, we can maintain our tree canopy while protecting the pedestrian infrastructure.”
The plan also identifies 13.47 miles of potential new sidewalk connections to complete gaps in the pedestrian network. However, McHugh stressed that proposed locations are conceptual and will require detailed engineering analysis to determine feasibility.
Implementation challenges extend beyond construction logistics. The town is working to develop its GIS capabilities to better coordinate infrastructure projects, though progress has been slower than hoped.
“We have all these layers of data — sidewalks, utilities, paving conditions — but we’re still developing the system to bring it all together ,” McHugh said. “When we get there, we’ll be able to click on any street and see everything that needs attention, from water lines to sidewalk conditions.”
The sidewalk assessment is intended to help officials make strategic decisions about infrastructure investments. However, McHugh emphasizes that the prioritization rankings shouldn’t be viewed as a rigid schedule.
“Just because a sidewalk ranks high on our list doesn’t mean it will be first,” she explained. “We might choose to group nearby projects together for efficiency, or coordinate with scheduled utility work. The goal is to be strategic.”
