Pearl Street Design Feedback Survey

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback on the proposed designs for Pearl Street. The Pearl Street Reconstruction and Safety Improvements project runs along the eastern portion of Pearl Street from McGrath Highway to Mount Vernon Street, including the section of Pearl Street adjacent to the East Somerville Community School. As part of the project, all sidewalks will be reconstructed, the road will be repaved, and traffic safety upgrades will be installed. Construction is expected to begin summer 2022. 

For the section of Pearl Street from McGrath Highway to Cross Street, the City is proposing a speed hump in the middle of the block and a raised intersection at Cross Street. Speed humps slow traffic and reduce speeds to 10 – 15 mph. Raised intersections give priority to pedestrians by bringing the intersection up to sidewalk level, which has the added benefit of forcing vehicles to slow down as they are driving through. 

For the section of Pearl Street from Cross Street to Franklin Street, the City is proposing placing two speed humps, a new neighborhood traffic circle at the intersection of Pearl Street and Glen Street, and a raised intersection at Franklin Street. Neighborhood traffic circles encourage drivers to slow down at key crossing locations while also providing a space to plant trees or other greenery.

For the section of Pearl Street from Franklin Street to Mt. Vernon Street, another neighborhood traffic circle would be installed at Myrtle Street. This treatment would be paired with sidewalk bump outs to prioritize people walking and prevent vehicles from parking too close to the intersection. Two speed humps would be placed between Florence Street and Mt. Vernon Street, one on each block.