The Elm-Beacon Connector

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As part of the implementation of the Somerville Bicycle Network Plan, the City of Somerville aims to install quick-build bike lanes along Elm Street from Russell Street to Somerville Avenue and Somerville Avenue from Acadia Park to Elm Street, in addition to making Mossland Street a Neighborway and creating a connection to the existing protected bike lanes on Beacon Street.

As part of this project, we intend to:

  • Change the street layout with quick-build materials including painting new pavement markings, installing plastic flexible posts, and new street signage.
  • Create protected bike lanes on Elm Street, Somerville Avenue, and Beacon Street by moving bike lanes next to the sidewalk curb and adding new buffered areas between vehicle or parking lanes.
  • Make Mossland Street a Neighborway by greatly reducing traffic volumes, which will allow people on bikes to ride comfortably in the middle of the street.
  • Make improvements for people using crosswalks by clearing the corners at all intersections in the project area to increase visibility and exploring options for increased pavement markings and signage at critical crosswalks.
  • Improve the bus experience by considering bus stop relocation or consolidation to reduce delay, exploring adding bus stop amenities like benches and trash cans, and modifying traffic signal operations to move buses through major intersections more quickly.
  • Reduce the number of on-street parking spaces to provide space for protected bike lanes. We will work with residents and businesses to identify the best regulations for the remaining parking spaces and explore options on nearby side streets.
  • Increase safety for people traveling Elm Street, Somerville Avenue, Mossland Street and Beacon Street in this effort.

This work will help the City meet the requirements set forth in the Somerville Safe Streets Ordinance and continue to meet our Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and reducing severe injuries.

Information in other languages

Si necesita ayuda en su idioma, comuníquese con nosotros a través de somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva o llame al 311 (617-666-3311)      

Caso precise de assistência em seu idioma, entre em contato conosco por meio deste formulário online: somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva ou ligue para 311 (617-666-3311)      

Si ou bezwen asistans nan lang ou a, kontakte nou nan somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva oswa rele 311 (617-666-3311)    

यदि आफ्नो भाषामा सहायता चाहिन्छ भने कृपया सम्पर्क गर्नुहोस: www.somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva गर्नुहोस् वा यो ३११ (६१७-६६६-३३११) / 311 (617-666-3311)   

如果您需要語言方面的協助 請撥打 311 (617-666-3311) 或於somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva 聯絡 彩薩默: 移民事務辦公室。  

如果您需要语言方面的协助，请联系 (somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva)或者请拨打 311（617-666-3311）。

As part of the implementation of the Somerville Bicycle Network Plan, the City of Somerville aims to install quick-build bike lanes along Elm Street from Russell Street to Somerville Avenue and Somerville Avenue from Acadia Park to Elm Street, in addition to making Mossland Street a Neighborway and creating a connection to the existing protected bike lanes on Beacon Street.

As part of this project, we intend to:

  • Change the street layout with quick-build materials including painting new pavement markings, installing plastic flexible posts, and new street signage.
  • Create protected bike lanes on Elm Street, Somerville Avenue, and Beacon Street by moving bike lanes next to the sidewalk curb and adding new buffered areas between vehicle or parking lanes.
  • Make Mossland Street a Neighborway by greatly reducing traffic volumes, which will allow people on bikes to ride comfortably in the middle of the street.
  • Make improvements for people using crosswalks by clearing the corners at all intersections in the project area to increase visibility and exploring options for increased pavement markings and signage at critical crosswalks.
  • Improve the bus experience by considering bus stop relocation or consolidation to reduce delay, exploring adding bus stop amenities like benches and trash cans, and modifying traffic signal operations to move buses through major intersections more quickly.
  • Reduce the number of on-street parking spaces to provide space for protected bike lanes. We will work with residents and businesses to identify the best regulations for the remaining parking spaces and explore options on nearby side streets.
  • Increase safety for people traveling Elm Street, Somerville Avenue, Mossland Street and Beacon Street in this effort.

This work will help the City meet the requirements set forth in the Somerville Safe Streets Ordinance and continue to meet our Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and reducing severe injuries.

Information in other languages

Si necesita ayuda en su idioma, comuníquese con nosotros a través de somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva o llame al 311 (617-666-3311)      

Caso precise de assistência em seu idioma, entre em contato conosco por meio deste formulário online: somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva ou ligue para 311 (617-666-3311)      

Si ou bezwen asistans nan lang ou a, kontakte nou nan somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva oswa rele 311 (617-666-3311)    

यदि आफ्नो भाषामा सहायता चाहिन्छ भने कृपया सम्पर्क गर्नुहोस: www.somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva गर्नुहोस् वा यो ३११ (६१७-६६६-३३११) / 311 (617-666-3311)   

如果您需要語言方面的協助 請撥打 311 (617-666-3311) 或於somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva 聯絡 彩薩默: 移民事務辦公室。  

如果您需要语言方面的协助，请联系 (somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva)或者请拨打 311（617-666-3311）。

  • Visit the Elm-Beacon Connector Project Open House on March 10

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    Open House Will Showcase Concept Design for Quick-Build Safety Improvements and Provide Opportunity to Share Feedback

    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 an open house to discuss proposed new quick-build designs for Elm Street between Russell Street and Somerville Avenue, Somerville Avenue between Acadia Park and Elm Street, Beacon Street between Somerville Avenue and Oxford Street, and Mossland Street. The event will be held on Monday, March 10, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy School Cafetorium.

    In the fall of 2024, we launched this project with the goal of making safety improvements along these key routes. Community members shared their safety concerns, priorities, and ideas for improvements. We reviewed all the feedback we collected and used it to shape our new conceptual design for these streets. To learn more about what we heard, please check out the Pre-Concept Design Community Engagement Report.

    The open house will feature multiple stations where community members can learn about different aspects of the Concept Design and share their feedback and questions with City staff. Refreshments will also be provided.

    Following the open house, we will publish all of the material and a recorded presentation on this project webpage. We will also provide other opportunities to participate, including an online survey, virtual office hours, potential street outreach pop-ups (weather dependent), and more. Details will be posted to this project webpage in the coming weeks.

    We also want to share that we are anticipating the project to be completed in 2026 instead of by the end of 2025. We will continue to keep community members posted as we see changes in the timeline.

    If you have any questions, please reach out to our team at transportation@somervillema.gov or by calling 311 (617-666-3311).

    Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

    Interpretation into any language is available upon advance request (at least seven days in advance) by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva or calling 311 at 617-666-3311.

  • Survey deadline extended to October 28!

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    If you haven't had the chance to share your safety concerns, feedback, and priorities for Elm Street, Beacon Street, Somerville Avenue, and Mossland Street in the project area, take our survey!

    Take the survey online in English, Español, Português, Kreyòl Ayisyen, नेपाली, 繁體中文, 简体中文. The survey is deadline has been extended to October 28.

    If you have any questions, reach out to our team at transportation@somervillema.gov.

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

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    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 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).

Page last updated: 20 Feb 2025, 12:28 PM