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


Thank you for sharing your feedback with us at our Open House event in November 2025 and in our project survey.

We have incorporated your input into the final 2 alternatives and are looking forward to sharing them with you!

Be on the lookout for our new Open House on May 7 2026 to discuss the final 2 alternatives and gather additional feedback on your design preferences!


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


Thank you for sharing your feedback with us at our Open House event in November 2025 and in our project survey.

We have incorporated your input into the final 2 alternatives and are looking forward to sharing them with you!

Be on the lookout for our new Open House on May 7 2026 to discuss the final 2 alternatives and gather additional feedback on your design preferences!


  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    ENGLISH Feedback survey

    The City of Somerville is adding access between the neighborhoods of Inner Belt and Brickbottom at the East Somerville MBTA station. Currently, the path of travel between Inner Belt and Brickbottom is a lengthy route along New Washington and Washington Street. There is an interim grade crossing at East Somerville station that provides access from Inner Belt to the platform, but this was installed as a temporary crossing while the permanent crossing is being developed under this project. 


    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. 

    • 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 


    The following link will take you to plans and renders demonstrate the conceptual design for these six alternatives. 

    voice.somervillema.gov/30709/widgets/108219/documents/74873  

    Please complete the survey below to have your perspective included in the design process.  

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    SPANISH Encuesta de opinión

    Encuesta de opinión

    Cruce para conectar Inner Belt y Brickbottom

    La ciudad de Somerville planea construir un acceso entre los barrios de Inner Belt y Brickbottom en la estación East Somerville del sistema de transporte público de la Bahía de Massachusetts (MBTA). Actualmente, el trayecto entre Inner Belt y Brickbottom es una ruta larga a lo largo de New Washington y Washington Street. Existe un paso a nivel provisorio en la estación East Somerville que permite el acceso desde Inner Belt al andén, pero se instaló como paso temporal mientras se construye el paso permanente en el marco de este proyecto.

    La ciudad y la empresa consultora de ingeniería Arup están trabajando actualmente en el diseño preliminar de seis (6) alternativas, tal y como se describe a continuación. Las dos (2) que obtengan la mejor puntuación en el análisis multicriterio pasarán a la fase de diseño del 10% a principios de 2026.

    • Puente con pasarelas inclinadas
    • Puente con pasarelas inclinadas y escaleras
    • Puente con pasarelas inclinadas y ascensores
    • Puente con escaleras y ascensores
    • Paso a nivel cerca de la Poplar Street
    • Paso a nivel en la estación East Somerville

    Los siguientes planos y bocetos muestran el diseño conceptual de estas seis alternativas.

    Haga click aqui

    Complete la siguiente encuesta para que tengamos en cuenta su opinión en el proceso de diseño. 

    Si necesita ayuda para traducir o comprender esta información, llame al 311 (617-666-3311) o póngase en contacto con nosotros en languageaccess@somervillema.gov. La ciudad de Somerville puede proporcionarle un intérprete de forma gratuita.

    Las personas con discapacidades que necesiten ayudas auxiliares o modificaciones razonables deben ponerse en contacto con Adrienne Pomeroy con antelación en el 617-625-6600 x 2059 o escribir a ADA@somervillema.gov.


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Page last updated: 08 May 2026, 12:00 PM