City of Somerville Publishes Final Design for Broadway at Wallace Street and Simpson Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvements

Final Design Update

The City of Somerville has a final design for the quick-build traffic calming and pedestrian-focused safety improvements on Broadway at the intersections of Simpson Avenue and Wallace Street/Leonard Street. Implementation of this design is anticipated in Spring 2026.

After reviewing feedback from community members, collecting and analyzing traffic data, and making intersection observations, the City has prepared new layouts for these Broadway intersections that slow down cars, increase visibility for pedestrians, and create greater separation for people biking. This design follows the goals set out in the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries on our streets.

This new vision includes the following major elements:

  • Street centerline hardening with flex posts to slow turning vehicles at three intersections:

  • Broadway at Simpson Avenue

  • Broadway at Wallace Street and Leonard Street

  • Broadway at Irving Street

  • New pavement markings and flex posts that increase visibility around crosswalks and narrow the street.

  • Elimination of a low-utilization bus stop on Broadway at Leonard Street to prevent dangerous vehicle passing through the bus stop.

  • Protected bike lanes at intersections to create greater separation between people biking and turning vehicles.

Click here to see the final design. As part of the street changes in the final design, a reduction of approximately six (6) on-street parking spaces on Broadway is planned. All of the parking spaces planned to be removed are currently designated as two-hour parking execpt by permit.

Why doesn’t the final design include additional infrastructure improvements, such as curb ramps or pedestrian signals?

The scope of this quick-build project included the use of tools like new pavement markings and flex posts that allow us to implement safety improvements on a faster timeline. It did not include permanent construction elements, such as new signals or lighting, reconstructing the sidewalks, moving the sidewalk curb line, or repaving the street.

Quick-build projects are a cost-effective way for us to expand our network of safe streets while maintaining flexibility to make adjustments and evaluate options for a more permanent constructed redesign. This section of Broadway is also currently planned for more a substantial Complete Street redesign within the next five years as part of the City’s Pavement and Sidewalk Management Program.

Next steps for Design and Implementation

How you can stay informed or ask questions

  • This website – Once implementation begins, we’ll post regular detailed updates about ongoing and upcoming works on this page.

  • If you have any questions prior or during implementation, please reach out to the Mobility Division staff via transportation@somervillema.gov or by contacting 311 (617-666-3311).

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