Inner Belt–Brickbottom Crossing

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About the project

Residents and visitors, looking to move between the Inner Belt and Brick Bottom neighborhoods must follow a lengthy route that uses an underpass on Washington Street. To make getting around easier—the City of Somerville is looking to develop a new crossing across the Green Line Extension tracks that more directly links the two neighborhoods.

With the support of a MassWorks Infrastructure Program Grant, the City of Somerville’s Division of Infrastructure and Asset Management will be exploring options for the crossing and advancing early-stage design through 2026.

Creating a better connection for people walking, rolling, or riding a bike between the two neighborhood was identified as a key community priority in the recent Brickbottom Neighborhood Plan (adopted September 2024). An improved crossing will both positively impact residents’ quality of life and support economic growth.

Project Goals

As part of this project, we intend to:

  • Create an accessible pathway for those who walk, roll or bike

  • Support neighborhood economic growth

  • Ensure the design reflects community input, and supports long term sustainability



About the project

Residents and visitors, looking to move between the Inner Belt and Brick Bottom neighborhoods must follow a lengthy route that uses an underpass on Washington Street. To make getting around easier—the City of Somerville is looking to develop a new crossing across the Green Line Extension tracks that more directly links the two neighborhoods.

With the support of a MassWorks Infrastructure Program Grant, the City of Somerville’s Division of Infrastructure and Asset Management will be exploring options for the crossing and advancing early-stage design through 2026.

Creating a better connection for people walking, rolling, or riding a bike between the two neighborhood was identified as a key community priority in the recent Brickbottom Neighborhood Plan (adopted September 2024). An improved crossing will both positively impact residents’ quality of life and support economic growth.

Project Goals

As part of this project, we intend to:

  • Create an accessible pathway for those who walk, roll or bike

  • Support neighborhood economic growth

  • Ensure the design reflects community input, and supports long term sustainability



  • Open House - Tuesday November 18, 4:30pm-6:30pm

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    Join us at an upcoming Community Open House to learn more about the project, share your experiences moving around the neighborhood, review preliminary design concepts, and provide feedback.


    • Date and time: Tuesday November 18, 2025, 4:30-6:30PM

    At the open house, community members can explore different stations describing aspects of the project and talk directly to the project team about their questions and comments.

    If community members cannot attend, there will be multiple other ways to share feedback such as through an online feedback survey, virtual office hours, and more.

    Interpretation notice

    The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter in your language for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of this event.

    ADA Notice

    Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids or reasonable modifications should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.

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    More About the Design Process and Preliminary Concepts

    The City and their engineering consultant Arup are currently progressing the preliminary design of six (6) alternatives, as outlined below. The two (2) that rank the highest in the multi-criteria analysis will be to advanced to 10% design in early 2026, with a preferred alternative expected to be chosen in Summer 2026.

    The 6 alternatives are provided below:

    • Bridge with sloped walkways

    • Bridge with sloped walkways and stairs

    • Bridge with sloped walkways and elevators

    • Bridge with stairs and elevators

    • At-grade crossing near Poplar Street

    • At-grade crossing at East Somerville Station

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    Questions: At anytime, please feel free to reach out to the Engineering Division with your questions and comments by email at engineering@somervillema.gov.

Page last updated: 06 Nov 2025, 03:29 PM