A 12-mile community pathway could connect Wareham to the future Marion Pathway, as well as to the existing Cape Cod Canal pathway in Bourne, but would require cyclists to share roads with vehicles in some areas, according to a pathway feasibility study.

The proposed pathway would cost approximately $3.8 million to complete, but 90-percent of the bill would be covered by various methods of state funding, leaving the town to come up with approximately $385,000.

In a presentation to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday, representatives from Weston & Sampson recommended the path begin at Blackmore Pond Road in West Wareham along an abandoned rail-bed corridor, head north to Fearing Hill Road, connect to Main Street or Merchants Way, continue on Sandwich Road and Minot Avenue, and head up Onset Avenue through Onset Village to Cranberry Highway (Route 28) into Bourne.

Pathway users would have to share roads with vehicles on Main Street, portions of Onset Avenue, and on Cranberry Highway/Route 28.

"When I say 'share the road' [on] Route 28, that's a scary thought," Weston & Sampson Project Manager William Paille acknowledged. But he noted that an improvement study currently being performed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for the highway would likely result in a safer road for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Wareham Bike Path Committee, which was charged with working with Weston & Sampson to complete the pathway feasibility study, originally hoped the trail could be constructed to follow the active rail-line used by the Mass Coastal Energy Train, effectively avoiding Route 28. But the state, which owns the land, would not allow it.

Members of the Board of Selectmen expressed concern about the portions of the proposed path that would require users to share roads with vehicles.

"It's a tragedy waiting to happen," said Selectman Cara Winslow, citing that families with small children would likely use the path. Weston & Sampson representatives pointed out, however, that because the path would stretch 12 miles, families could choose to use a section that did not require road-sharing.

The proposal was ultimately met with excitement from the Board.

"I think this is a fabulous project," Winslow later added. "I think the community needs it."

Selectmen Chair Jane Donahue shared that sentiment. "I think [the pathway] is going to be fabulous, and I think people will learn to coexist" while using roadways, she said. "I'm really looking forward to this project coming into fruition."

It was not immediately clear which steps would be taken next in the pursuit of the pathway, though Weston & Sampson representatives and the Board of Selectmen were optimistic that it would become a reality.