![The Reformatory Trail, on the north side of Concord Road, heading toward the Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge - Image (c) JMcCT, 2014](https://cdn.thebedfordcitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Crossing-trail.jpg)
By Meredith McCulloch
![The entrance to the trail is a narrow cut between the end of the guard rail and the telephone pole. Roads supervisor Earl Elliott and Town Engineer Adrienne St. John on the trail. - Image (c) JMcCT, 2014](https://cdn.thebedfordcitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Crossing-trail-2-300x220.jpg)
![A skid mark just before the trail crosses Concord Road illustrates the need for a properly marked crossing - Image (c) JMcCT, 2014](https://cdn.thebedfordcitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Crossing-walkers-2-300x279.jpg)
DPW Engineer Adrienne St. John reported to the Selectmen on November 17 that safety improvements at the two points where the Reformatory Trail crosses Concord and Hartwell Roads will soon be underway.
The trail is maintained now, but planning is in process to upgrade it as an extension of the Minuteman Bikeway.
In the meantime, to improve safety where it crosses Concord Road, the trail will be realigned and better marking will be added. By relocating it west of the gravel parking lot, visibility will be improved and the diagonal cut across the road will be shorter.
Zebra striping will mark the crossing and signs reading “Trail Crossing” will alert motorists. St. John said the plan is to complete this work in early December if weather permits.
The Reformatory Trail also crosses Hartwell Road by the water purification plant near the Concord Road intersection. A “Trail Crossing” sign will be added there as early as next week.