View of Somerville Avenue at Conway Park

Somerville Avenue Quick Build Safety Improvements Concept Design Feedback Survey

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on the Concept Design for the Somerville Avenue Quick Build Safety Improvements project. In this survey, we aim to:

Learn more about your initial reaction to the concept design.

See if we have addressed safety concerns and priorities we heard about from community members last summer.

Gather comments and questions you have about the design.

Learn more about how you use the streets in the project area.

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 (available in English) to learn more about the proposal. You can also check out the following materials to learn about the concept design in more details:

June 9 Open House informational posters (available in English)

Concept Design brochure

Additional materials can be found on the project webpage as they are published.

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.

Protected bike lanes are separated from vehicle traffic or parking either by a buffered area with vertical barriers or raised to sidewalk level. Vertical barriers can include plastic flex posts, planters, and pre-cast concrete curbs. In quick-build projects, we often use flex posts.

Where do you live? Please select one.

I live on Somerville Avenue between Elm Street and Bow Street

I live in Somerville, within a 5-minute walk from Somerville Avenue (between Elm Street and Bow Street)

I live in Somerville, but further than a 5-minute walk from Somerville Avenue (between Elm Street and Bow Street)

I live outside of Somerville

What are the ways that you generally travel? Check all that apply.

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

Bicycle (other micromobility devices like e-bikes, scooters, etc.)

Bus

Rapid Transit (Green Line, Red Line, and other MBTA subway lines)

Commuter Rail

Car

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or taxi

Other (please specify)

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

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.

Maximum 5,000 characters

0/5,000

Do you think the new design will make you feel safer traveling through the area using any mode of transportation?

Yes, I will feel much safer.

Yes, 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?

Maximum 5,000 characters

0/5,000

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

Maximum 5,000 characters

0/5,000

Design detail feedback

As a part of the changes at the Somerville Avenue at Lowell Street we are proposing the following options for the pedestrian signal phase - see Lowell Street Poster for more information

Push Button Activated - The walk signal will only come up you press the button leading to shorter wait times for people walking or rolling.
Automatic Signal - The signal will come on automatically every cycle, may include a wait time of up to ~45 seconds.

Please share which option you prefer.

Push button activated

Automatic signal

I need more information before I share a preference

I do not have a preference

Other (please specify)

Please explain why you chose the option above.

Maximum 5,000 characters

0/5,000

10.

As a part of the changes at the Somerville Avenue at Lowell Street we are proposing to add a separated left-turn lane - see Lowell Street Poster for more information. Please share how you feel about this addition.

I like the new left turn lane

I do not like the new left turn lane

I need more information before I share a preference

I do not have a preference

Other (please specify)

11.

As a part of the changes at the Somerville Avenue and Beech Street intersection we are proposing the following options to reduce conflicts with the Veterans Memorial Rink Driveway – see Beech Street Poster for more information

Option A: Signalized Driveway - The Rink driveway gets a signal that only turns green when a vehicle or bicycle is detected.
Option B: Right-Out Only Driveway - Vehicles and bicyclists can only turn right out of the Driveway.

Please share which option you prefer.

Signalized driveway

Right-out only driveway

I need more information before I share a preference

I do not have a preference

Other (please specify)

12.

Please explain why you chose the option above.

Maximum 5,000 characters

0/5,000

13.

At the Somerville Avenue at Park Street intersection we are proposing the following options to reduce conflicts for people biking:

Option A: Two Stage - Including bike boxes for safer turns onto Park Street from Somerville Avenue.
Option B: Vehicle Separation - Complete separation of vehicle traffic from pedestrians and cyclists' movements.

Please share which option you prefer. (Refer to the Park Street Intersection poster for more information)

Two stage

Vehicle separation

I need more information before I share a preference

I do not have a preference

Other (please specify)

14.

Please explain why you chose the option above.

Maximum 5,000 characters

0/5,000

15.

As a part of the changes at the Somerville Avenue at Dane and Granite Street intersection we are proposing the following changes to reduce conflicts for people biking:

Option A: Two Stage - Including bike boxes for safer turns onto Park Street from Somerville Avenue.
Option B: Vehicle Separation - Complete separation of vehicle traffic from pedestrians and cyclists' movements.

Please share which option you prefer. (Refer to the Dane and Granite Street Intersection poster for more information)

Two stage

Vehicle separation

I need more information before I share a preference

I do not have a preference

Other (please specify)

16.

Please explain why you chose the option above.

Maximum 5,000 characters

0/5,000

17.

For each of the following blocks along Somerville Avenue, which type(s) of parking would you use? Please refer to the Parking Poster for more information.

Craigie Street to Spring Street

Metered

Resident Permit Parking

2 hour except by permit

15-minute parking

Accessible parking

Loading zone

Not applicable - I do not generally park in this area

Spring Street to Park Street

Metered

Resident Permit Parking

2 hour except by permit

15-minute parking

Accessible parking

Loading zone

Not applicable - I do not generally park in this area

Park Street to Dane Street

Metered

Resident Permit Parking

2 hour except by permit

15-minute parking

Accessible parking

Loading zone

Not applicable - I do not generally park in this area

Dane Street to Church Street

Metered

Resident Permit Parking

2 hour except by permit

15-minute parking

Accessible parking

Loading zone

Not applicable - I do not generally park in this area

18.

We are proposing changes to bus stops along Somerville Avenue. Please share how you feel about the changes. Refer to the Bus Poster or brochure for more information.

Move the eastbound stop at Lowell Street further east

Not at all concerned

Somewhat concerned

Very Concerned

Not Applicable (I do not use this bus stop)

Eliminate the pair of bus stops at Spring Street

Not at all concerned

Somewhat concerned

Very Concerned

Not Applicable (I do not use this bus stop)

Eliminate the westbound stop at School Street

Not at all concerned

Somewhat concerned

Very Concerned

Not Applicable (I do not use this bus stop)

Move the eastbound stop at School Street further east

Not at all concerned

Somewhat concerned

Very Concerned

Not Applicable (I do not use this bus stop)

Demographic questions

These questions help us better understand who we are reaching.

19.

How did you hear about this survey and/or project? Check all that apply.

Flyer on my door

Word of Mouth

City Social media

Direct Email

Mobility Newsletter

City street outreach event

Other (please specify)

20.

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)

21.

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 $25,000

$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

22.

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

Select option

23.

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

Select option

24.

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

25.

What is your gender? Check all that apply.

Woman

Man

Non-binary

Prefer not to say

Prefer to self-describe:

26.

What language(s) do you speak at home?

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

27.

What is your housing status in Somerville?

Own

Rent

Temporary or unstable housing

Prefer not to answer

Other (please describe)

28.

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

Yes

Prefer not to say

Prefer to self-describe: