Mayor Walsh announces new freedom trail markings

 Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that nearly 2,000 feet of the painted sections of the historic Freedom Trail in Charlestown, Downtown Crossing, and the North End, are being replaced with a new thermoplastic treatment. The multi-colored strips are being applied with heat and are expected to last up to eight years, improving on the time consuming and inefficient seasonal painting of the non-bricked areas of the historic way.

“The Freedom Trail is a Boston landmark and its visibility is important for visitors,” said Mayor Walsh. “As the City enters its peak tourism season, the newly laid pathway will guide our residents and tourists to popular destinations, and also save the City money in future costs associated with the annual painting of the path.”  

“Over 4 million people enjoy the Freedom Trail and our great city’s historic sites annually,” said Freedom Trail Foundation Executive Director Suzanne Taylor. “The Department of Public Works’ new brick-resembling treatment will stand the test of time and help residents and visitors navigate the Freedom Trail to experience each of the Trail’s 16 sites year-round.”

The thermoplastic strip is red, white, and blue-gray, approximately 10-inches wide, and will be laid through crosswalks and on the concrete sections of the painted trail throughout Downtown Crossing, Charlestown, and the North End. The bricked areas of the Freedom Trail will not be impacted by the striping project. The Department of Public Works project is being done at a cost of $50,000.

The project began at the end of May at Congress Street where it meets City Hall, and will be completed at the end of June (weather permitting). A second expansion of the project will include installing the striping on repaired sidewalk segments.

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile path that traces through Downtown Boston, the North End and Charlestown leading to 16 nationally significant sites. The Trail passes by a variety of historic sites, including museums, meeting houses, churches, a ship, historic markers, parks and burying grounds, all telling the story of the American Revolution.