The Elm-Beacon Connector

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The City of Somerville is installing protected bike lanes and other safety improvements along parts of Elm Street, Somerville Avenue, and Beacon Street and creating a new Neighborway connection on Mossland Street. This work will be completed primarily with quick-build materials which include new pavement markings, flexible plastic posts, signage, and traffic signal upgrades.

This work is part of the implementation of the Somerville Bicycle Network Plan and driven by the City’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries, and requirements in the Safe Street Ordinance.

What's Included in this Project?

  • Installing protected bike lanes on
    • Elm Street from Russell Street to Somerville Avenue
    • Beacon Street from Somerville Avenue to Oxford Street
    • and Somerville Avenue from the City Line to Elm Street
  • Adding new stop signs on Elm Street at Beech Street and removing the flashing crosswalk signs
  • Creating a dead-end for motor vehicles on Mossland Street at Elm Street to transform Mossland Street into a Neighborway (two-way connection for people biking)
  • Removing parking primarily on the south side of Elm Street and at some locations on Somerville Avenue
  • Adding parking on Russell Street and Cutter Avenue
  • Installing new loading zones in the project area and new pickup drop-off spaces near the Kennedy School
  • Removing a turn lane on Summer Street at Cutter Avenue
  • Adding centerline hardening at some crosswalks on Elm Street and Beacon Street
  • Changing the traffic signal timing and phasing at
    • Beacon Street at Somerville Avenue
    • Somerville Avenue at Elm Street
    • Elm Street at Cedar Street
    • Elm Street at Russell Street
  • Installing Clear Corners markings at all intersections to increase visibility for all people traveling
  • Relocating and lengthening some of the Route 87 bus stops
  • Building a raised crosswalk across Elm Street at Cherry Street near the Kennedy School (construction of this crossing expect to take place in 2027).
  • Constructing a new curb ramp on Elm Street at Beech Street

Design work began in fall 2024. The concept design was published in February 2025, and the design was finalized in April 2026. To learn more how the City engagement community members and what we heard, please check out the Pre-Concept and Concept Design Community Engagement Reports. Explore this webpage to learn more about the development of the project and see updates about implementation. Please check out the following resources for more details on the design:

If you have any questions, please email transportation@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311).

Information in other languages

To get this information in another language, contact the Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs. To do this, you can:

  • Submit a referral through Somerville Hub
  • Email at soia@somervillema.gov
  • Visit at 42 Cross St., Somerville, MA
  • Or call:
    • Spanish - (617) 625-6600 extensions 2122; 2624
    • Portuguese - (617) 625-6600 extensions 2123; 2627
    • Haitian Creole - (617) 625-6600 extensions 2622; 2625
    • Nepali - (617) 625-6600 extension 2610
    • Chinese - (617) 625-6600 extension 2626
    • For all other languages - (617) 625-6600 extension 2608 

The City of Somerville is installing protected bike lanes and other safety improvements along parts of Elm Street, Somerville Avenue, and Beacon Street and creating a new Neighborway connection on Mossland Street. This work will be completed primarily with quick-build materials which include new pavement markings, flexible plastic posts, signage, and traffic signal upgrades.

This work is part of the implementation of the Somerville Bicycle Network Plan and driven by the City’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries, and requirements in the Safe Street Ordinance.

What's Included in this Project?

  • Installing protected bike lanes on
    • Elm Street from Russell Street to Somerville Avenue
    • Beacon Street from Somerville Avenue to Oxford Street
    • and Somerville Avenue from the City Line to Elm Street
  • Adding new stop signs on Elm Street at Beech Street and removing the flashing crosswalk signs
  • Creating a dead-end for motor vehicles on Mossland Street at Elm Street to transform Mossland Street into a Neighborway (two-way connection for people biking)
  • Removing parking primarily on the south side of Elm Street and at some locations on Somerville Avenue
  • Adding parking on Russell Street and Cutter Avenue
  • Installing new loading zones in the project area and new pickup drop-off spaces near the Kennedy School
  • Removing a turn lane on Summer Street at Cutter Avenue
  • Adding centerline hardening at some crosswalks on Elm Street and Beacon Street
  • Changing the traffic signal timing and phasing at
    • Beacon Street at Somerville Avenue
    • Somerville Avenue at Elm Street
    • Elm Street at Cedar Street
    • Elm Street at Russell Street
  • Installing Clear Corners markings at all intersections to increase visibility for all people traveling
  • Relocating and lengthening some of the Route 87 bus stops
  • Building a raised crosswalk across Elm Street at Cherry Street near the Kennedy School (construction of this crossing expect to take place in 2027).
  • Constructing a new curb ramp on Elm Street at Beech Street

Design work began in fall 2024. The concept design was published in February 2025, and the design was finalized in April 2026. To learn more how the City engagement community members and what we heard, please check out the Pre-Concept and Concept Design Community Engagement Reports. Explore this webpage to learn more about the development of the project and see updates about implementation. Please check out the following resources for more details on the design:

If you have any questions, please email transportation@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311).

Information in other languages

To get this information in another language, contact the Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs. To do this, you can:

  • Submit a referral through Somerville Hub
  • Email at soia@somervillema.gov
  • Visit at 42 Cross St., Somerville, MA
  • Or call:
    • Spanish - (617) 625-6600 extensions 2122; 2624
    • Portuguese - (617) 625-6600 extensions 2123; 2627
    • Haitian Creole - (617) 625-6600 extensions 2622; 2625
    • Nepali - (617) 625-6600 extension 2610
    • Chinese - (617) 625-6600 extension 2626
    • For all other languages - (617) 625-6600 extension 2608 

  • Share Your Feedback to Help Shape the Elm-Beacon Connector Project

    Share Share Your Feedback to Help Shape the Elm-Beacon Connector Project on Facebook Share Share Your Feedback to Help Shape the Elm-Beacon Connector Project on X (formerly Twitter) Share Share Your Feedback to Help Shape the Elm-Beacon Connector Project on Linkedin Email Share Your Feedback to Help Shape the Elm-Beacon Connector Project link

    Information available in: English | Español | Português | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Kreyòl Ayisyen | नेपाली

    On Wednesday, September 25, from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., we hosted our first community meeting on Zoom. Thank you to all who were able to join. During the meeting, we shared background on the project, related plans and ordinances, community engagement strategies, and potential design options. We also heard input and questions from community members regarding safety challenges and possible solutions.

    Meeting Materials

    We want to continue to hear from you! There are multiple ways to share your input to help us learn more about your transportation safety concerns and gather feedback on design elements we should include in the project.

    • Share your ideas through our survey! Take the survey online in English, Español, Português, Kreyòl Ayisyen, नेपाली, 繁體中文, 简体中文. The survey is available until October 25.
    • Come join us at an upcoming street outreach pop-up to talk to staff in-person, share your ideas, and ask questions. We will be at the intersection of Beacon Street and Somerville Avenue on Thursday, October 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (inclement weather date: October 16). We will also be at Kennedy School drop off on Tuesday October 8 (weather dependent).
    • Add your comments to our online Public Input Map. Writing your comments on this map will let us know what you see as issues and opportunities in the project area. Use pins to highlight locations that you think it is important for us to prioritize for changes or improvements, as well as locations that are currently working well. Once you add a pin, you can also include comments and images to highlight specific priorities or concerns.

    Check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the project. We will be adding more questions and answers throughout the development of the project as we gather more questions from community members.

    At anytime, you can always share your ideas or questions via email to transportation@somervillema.gov or via phone at 617-666-3311. Subscribe to the Mobility Monthly Newsletter for project updates.

    Information available in: English | Español | Português | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Kreyòl Ayisyen | नेपाली

    On Wednesday, September 25, from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., we hosted our first community meeting on Zoom. Thank you to all who were able to join. During the meeting, we shared background on the project, related plans and ordinances, community engagement strategies, and potential design options. We also heard input and questions from community members regarding safety challenges and possible solutions.

    Meeting Materials

    We want to continue to hear from you! There are multiple ways to share your input to help us learn more about your transportation safety concerns and gather feedback on design elements we should include in the project.

    • Share your ideas through our survey! Take the survey online in English, Español, Português, Kreyòl Ayisyen, नेपाली, 繁體中文, 简体中文. The survey is available until October 25.
    • Come join us at an upcoming street outreach pop-up to talk to staff in-person, share your ideas, and ask questions. We will be at the intersection of Beacon Street and Somerville Avenue on Thursday, October 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (inclement weather date: October 16). We will also be at Kennedy School drop off on Tuesday October 8 (weather dependent).
    • Add your comments to our online Public Input Map. Writing your comments on this map will let us know what you see as issues and opportunities in the project area. Use pins to highlight locations that you think it is important for us to prioritize for changes or improvements, as well as locations that are currently working well. Once you add a pin, you can also include comments and images to highlight specific priorities or concerns.

    Check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the project. We will be adding more questions and answers throughout the development of the project as we gather more questions from community members.

    At anytime, you can always share your ideas or questions via email to transportation@somervillema.gov or via phone at 617-666-3311. Subscribe to the Mobility Monthly Newsletter for project updates.

  • Join us for the First Community Meeting on September 25 at 6:00 p.m.

    Share Join us for the First Community Meeting on September 25 at 6:00 p.m. on Facebook Share Join us for the First Community Meeting on September 25 at 6:00 p.m. on X (formerly Twitter) Share Join us for the First Community Meeting on September 25 at 6:00 p.m. on Linkedin Email Join us for the First Community Meeting on September 25 at 6:00 p.m. link
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    Meeting flyers available in: English | Español | Português | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Kreyòl Ayisyen | नेपाली

    Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis, Ward 5 Councilor Naima Sait, Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, Ward 2 Councilor J.T. Scott, and City Staff invite you to a community meeting to discuss the Elm Beacon Connector.

    Come hear an overview of the project, learn more about the opportunities in quick-build projects, and share your questions and feedback.

    Date: Wednesday, September 25

    Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

    Register in Advance: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6FYX8cSgQBqOgnv3aQ8yAg

    After registering in advance, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the zoom webinar. To join via audio:

    Following the community meeting, we will launch an online survey to gather community input and host a street outreach pop-up on October 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Somerville Avenue and Beacon Street. (Inclement weather date: October 16).

    Meeting flyers available in: English | Español | Português | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Kreyòl Ayisyen | नेपाली

    Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis, Ward 5 Councilor Naima Sait, Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, Ward 2 Councilor J.T. Scott, and City Staff invite you to a community meeting to discuss the Elm Beacon Connector.

    Come hear an overview of the project, learn more about the opportunities in quick-build projects, and share your questions and feedback.

    Date: Wednesday, September 25

    Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

    Register in Advance: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6FYX8cSgQBqOgnv3aQ8yAg

    After registering in advance, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the zoom webinar. To join via audio:

    Following the community meeting, we will launch an online survey to gather community input and host a street outreach pop-up on October 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Somerville Avenue and Beacon Street. (Inclement weather date: October 16).

Page last updated: 20 Aug 2026, 11:31 AM