Elm-Beacon Connector Concept Design Feedback Survey (English)

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on the Concept Design for the Elm-Beacon Connector Quick-Build project. In this survey, we aim to:

Learn more about your initial reaction to the concept design.
See if we have met some of the safety concerns and priorities we heard about from community members last fall.
Gather any comments or questions you have about the design.
Learn more about how you use some of the streets in the project.
Gather insight into who we are reaching in our outreach efforts.

This survey takes approximately 5 to 15 minutes. If you haven’t already done so, please check out the concept design roll plan to learn more about the proposal. You can also check out the following materials to learn about the concept design in more details:

March 10 Open House informational posters
Concept Design Roll Plan
Recorded presentation from the project team (available after March 12)
Recorded presentation slides (available after March 12)
Concept Design brochure

If you prefer to take this survey over the phone, please contact us at 311 (617-666-3311) to log your request and a member of the Mobility Division will call you back. You can also email transportation@somervillema.gov if you have any questions or prefer to provide written comments.

In case it is helpful, we’ve included definitions below for some of the terms used in this survey:

Quick-build projects do not include major construction like you might see in a complete street reconstruction. We do not have the opportunity to reconstruct the sidewalks, move the sidewalk curb line, or repave the street. For Quick-build projects, we use tools like street pavement markings, signage, traffic signal changes, and flexible plastic posts to create a new street layout. You can see examples of quick-build changes in Powder House Circle and on Grand Union Boulevard.
Slip lanes are separate turn lanes that allow cars to make a right-hand turn without fully stopping for a red light at an intersection. In Somerville, we have a few at our intersection such as on Broadway westbound at McGrath Highway and on Somerville Avenue westbound at Elm Street.
Speed humps are mounds made out of asphalt strategically placed along smaller width streets to discourage speeding. They are often placed between 200 and 350 feet apart to reduce the likelihood of speeding between speed humps or placed approaching crosswalks or intersections to slow vehicles near where people might be crossing. Speed humps in Somerville have white chevrons and yellow stripes painted on them and signage is placed ahead to warn people driving.

Design Feedback

How do you feel about the proposed design overall? Please choose one.

* required

I fully support the design.

I support most of the design, but I don’t like everything.

There are a number of things in the design I like and dislike.

I don’t support most of the design, but I do like some parts of it.

I am opposed to all of the design.

I need more information before I can decide how I feel about the proposed design.

Please share why you selected your answer above.

Do you think the new design will make you feel safer traveling through the area?

Yes, I will feel much safer.

I will feel somewhat safer.

I will feel the same.

No, I will feel less safe.

I need more information before I can decide if I will feel safer.

Other (please specify)

What questions do you have about the proposed concept design?

What are we missing in the proposed concept design that could be included using quick-build tools (pavement markings, signs, plastic posts, etc.)?

Travel Behavior

The following questions help us learn more about traffic patterns in the area.

What mode do you most frequently use in this project area? Please choose one.

Bicycle

Bus

Car

Commuter Rail

Rapid Transit (Green Line and other MBTA subway lines)

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or taxi

Walk or roll (using a mobility device like a wheelchair or walker)

Other (please specify)

Currently, do you use Mossland Street to travel to work by car?

Yes

Do you travel in a vehicle with a handicap accessible placard or license plate?

Yes

We heard from community members in our fall 2024 outreach about speeding concerns in the project area and nearby. If you could choose streets to be considered for speed humps in the area, please select up to three out of the following. Please note, the City does not generally select streets that have frequent MBTA bus service, so the following list focuses on more residential streets that do not carry buses or do not already have speed humps.

Craigie Street

Porter Street (between Summer Street and Elm Street)

Linden Avenue (between Summer Street and Elm Street)

Cedar Street (between Summer Street and Elm Street)

Holyoke Road

Hancock Street (between Summer Street and Elm Street)

Burnside Avenue

Banks Street

Willow Avenue (between Summer Street and Elm Street)

St. James Avenue (between Summer Street and Elm Street)

Elston Street (between Summer Street and Elm Street)

Windom Street (between Summer Street and Elm Street)

Miller Avenue

Tenney Street

Russell Street (between Orchard Street and Elm Street)

I don’t want any more speed humps in the area

I do not have a preference

Other (please specify)

Demographic Questions

The following questions help us better understand who we are reaching.

10.

Where in Somerville do you live? Please select one.

On Elm Street (between Russell Street and Somerville Avenue)

On Somerville Ave (between Acadia Park and Elm Street)

On Mossland Street

On Beacon Street (between Somerville Avenue and Oxford Street)

Within a 5-minute walk of the project area

In Somerville, but further than a 5-minute walk from the project area

I don’t live in Somerville

11.

How do you self-identify by race or ethnicity? Check all that apply.

American Indian or Alaskan Native

Asian

Black or African American

Hispanic, Latinx, or Spanish origin

Middle Eastern or North African

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

White

Prefer not to say

Another race or ethnicity not listed above (please specify)

12.

What is the approximate annual income of your household? Please answer for all with whom you share immediate living space (e.g., roommates).

Less than $10,000

$10,000 - $24,999

$25,000 - $49,999

$50,000 - $74,999

$75,000 - $99,999

$100,000 - $149,999

$150,000 - $199,999

$200,000 or more

Prefer not to say

13.

How many people 18 years and older live in your household?

Select option

14.

How many people under 18 years old live in your household?

Select option

15.

What is your age?

17 or under

18 to 24

25 to 34

35 to 44

45 to 54

55 to 64

65 to 74

75 and up

Prefer not to say

16.

What is your gender? Check all that apply.

Woman

Man

Non-binary

Prefer not to say

Prefer to self-describe:

17.

What language(s) do you speak at home?

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

18.

What is your housing status in Somerville?

Own

Rent

Temporary or unstable housing

Prefer not to answer

Other (please describe)

19.

Do you self-identify as a person with a disability (with or without a diagnosis)?

Yes

Prefer not to say

Prefer to self-describe: