City of Somerville Publishes Final Design for Elm-Beacon Connector
Rendering of Elm Street at Cherry Street
Final Design UpdateAfter a year of engaging community members, analyzing traffic patterns, developing traffic signal options, testing emergency and public transit operations, collaborating with City of Cambridge, and developing a full design, the City has prepared a final layout for Elm Street between Russell Street and Somerville Avenue, Somerville Avenue between the City Line and Elm Street, Beacon Street between Somerville Avenue and Oxford Street, and Mossland Street.
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 and the vision of the Somerville Bicycle Network Plan to create a connected network for people of all ages and abilities to travel by bike.
- Click here to see the Final Design.
- To see proposed parking changes please check out this presentation that will be presented to the Traffic Commission on April 9.
- For an overview of the anticipated traffic changes at all the major intersections within the project area, see our evening rush hour traffic queue diagrams.
We are so grateful to all the community members who participated in the development of this design sharing their transportation safety concerns, preferences for design directions and conceptual design options, and providing ideas to incorporate. To learn more about what community members shared with us throughout design development as well as to see how we engaged people, please check out our Pre-Concept and Concept Design Community Engagement Reports. You can also learn more about the story of this project by exploring the newsfeed on this project website.
Next Steps for Design and Implementation
On April 9, we will present to the City’s Traffic Commission to seek approval for the traffic and parking regulation changes. Pending Traffic Commission approval, the City will begin the bidding process to secure pavement markings and traffic signal contractors. That process is expected to be complete in July.
If the City receives bids from qualified contractors within the project budget, implementation could begin as early as July and be completed by November 2026. Once we have selected a contractor and have a preliminary implementation schedule, we will provide an update on this project website indicating when and where we anticipate work will begin. Most pavement markings work will likely occur overnight.
The City has been coordinating design and implementation timelines with the project team for the Kennedy School Playground Renovations. We will work together to ensure that both projects are implemented within their anticipated timelines and minimum impact on daily operations for the Kennedy School.
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.
The City of Cambridge will be responsible for the removal of the Beech Street pedestrian island. This will include repaving of the street and new markings. Cambridge’s work will take place in Spring or Summer 2026 and once it begins, they anticipate completion within 3-4 weeks. Please refer to the project website for more information and updates.
Sign up for City Alerts– Sign up for City Alerts to receive notifications about this project and other essential information. Alerts are geographically targeted so make sure your address is updated to receive all alerts related to this project.
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).
You can also join us at the Mossland Street Block Party planned for Saturday, May 2 from 1 – 4 p.m. as part of SustainaVille!
