Tufts Street Reconstruction

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The City of Somerville is planning to reconstruct sidewalks and repave Tufts Street between Cross Street and Washington Street as part of the City's Pavement and Sidewalk Management Program. In this effort, we are taking the opportunity to explore a new design that makes it safer and more comfortable for people walking, rolling, biking, or driving. Tufts Street is a residential street and serves as an important connection to the new East Somerville Green Line Station. Tufts Street is designated as a Neighborways on the Somerville Bicycle Network Plan.

In the Summer and early Fall of 2023, we reached out to community members to gather input on transportation safety concerns and ways to improve the street. In the late Fall of 2023, we shared a conceptual design with community members to hear feedback. Over the winter and spring, the City’s consultants are refining the design to then share with the community a proposed 80 percent design in the Summer of 2024 and a 100% design in the fall of 2024. Street construction is anticipated for 2025 and 2026. Learn more about the project on this website and subscribe to the Mobility Newsletter for email updates on upcoming public meetings, street pop-up community engagement events, and feedback surveys.

Si necesita ayuda en su idioma, comuníquese con nosotros a través de somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva o llame al 311 (617-666-3311)      

Caso precise de assistência em seu idioma, entre em contato conosco por meio deste formulário online: somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva ou ligue para 311 (617-666-3311)      

Si ou bezwen asistans nan lang ou a, kontakte nou nan somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva oswa rele 311 (617-666-3311)    

यदि आफ्नो भाषामा सहायता चाहिन्छ भने कृपया सम्पर्क गर्नुहोस: www.somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva गर्नुहोस् वा यो ३११ (६१७-६६६-३३११) / 311 (617-666-3311)   

如果您需要語言方面的協助 請撥打 311 (617-666-3311) 或於somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva 聯絡 彩薩默: 移民事務辦公室。  

如果您需要语言方面的协助，请联系 (somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva)或者请拨打 311（617-666-3311）。

The City of Somerville is planning to reconstruct sidewalks and repave Tufts Street between Cross Street and Washington Street as part of the City's Pavement and Sidewalk Management Program. In this effort, we are taking the opportunity to explore a new design that makes it safer and more comfortable for people walking, rolling, biking, or driving. Tufts Street is a residential street and serves as an important connection to the new East Somerville Green Line Station. Tufts Street is designated as a Neighborways on the Somerville Bicycle Network Plan.

In the Summer and early Fall of 2023, we reached out to community members to gather input on transportation safety concerns and ways to improve the street. In the late Fall of 2023, we shared a conceptual design with community members to hear feedback. Over the winter and spring, the City’s consultants are refining the design to then share with the community a proposed 80 percent design in the Summer of 2024 and a 100% design in the fall of 2024. Street construction is anticipated for 2025 and 2026. Learn more about the project on this website and subscribe to the Mobility Newsletter for email updates on upcoming public meetings, street pop-up community engagement events, and feedback surveys.

Si necesita ayuda en su idioma, comuníquese con nosotros a través de somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva o llame al 311 (617-666-3311)      

Caso precise de assistência em seu idioma, entre em contato conosco por meio deste formulário online: somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva ou ligue para 311 (617-666-3311)      

Si ou bezwen asistans nan lang ou a, kontakte nou nan somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva oswa rele 311 (617-666-3311)    

यदि आफ्नो भाषामा सहायता चाहिन्छ भने कृपया सम्पर्क गर्नुहोस: www.somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva गर्नुहोस् वा यो ३११ (६१७-६६६-३३११) / 311 (617-666-3311)   

如果您需要語言方面的協助 請撥打 311 (617-666-3311) 或於somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva 聯絡 彩薩默: 移民事務辦公室。  

如果您需要语言方面的协助，请联系 (somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva)或者请拨打 311（617-666-3311）。

  • Floating bus stops and crosswalk improvements coming to Washington Street at Tufts Street

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    The MBTA's contractors have begun work to install two new floating bus stops on Washington Street near Tufts Street along with an improved crosswalk across Washington Street. Construction has begun and is anticipated to be completed within the next three weeks.

    The new crosswalk will be located closer to the East Somerville Station and will have a push button activated rectangular rapid flashing beacon (flashing yellow crosswalk signs). The westbound bus stop will help shorten the crossing across Washington Street. The new floating bus stops provide dedicated waiting space for bus riders and will help reduce some bus delay as buses will no longer have to pull over to the curb and pull back into traffic. Included are also small segments of protected bike lanes along the floating bus stops, separating the pedestrian waiting areas from bicycle traffic.


    If you have any questions, please reach out to the Mobility Division at transportation@somervillema.gov.

  • Wall Mural Painting Anticipated to Begin August 10

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    Beginning as early as August 10 or soon after, artists and volunteers will begin painting a wall mural at 50 Tufts Street.

    Weather permitting, artists will prepare the wall for painting during the week of August 5. During preparation and painting, temporary sidewalk closures will be set up on the southside of the street with signage indicating to cross the street to the northside sidewalk.

    If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to transportation@somervillema.gov.

  • Share your feedback on the Updated Design!

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    On July 11, the City hosted an outdoor community open house to share the updated design for the Tufts Street Reconstruction project. Thank you to the community members who were able to join, ask questions, and share your thoughts. Check out the materials below to learn more about the concept design.

    We want to hear from you! Over the next month, we aim to gather feedback through a variety of community outreach activities.

    Take our Feedback Survey to share your feedback. The survey is available in English, Español, Português, 繁體中文, 简体中文, नेपाली, Kreyòl Ayisyen.

    Come join us at an upcoming street outreach to talk to staff in-person and ask questions. We will be at the intersection of Knowlton Street and Tufts Street from 5:00 p.m. tp 7:00 p.m. on July 23 (inclement weather date: July 30).

    Join our Virtual Office Hours on Thursday, July 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to ask your questions to the project team. Community members can log into the zoom webinar at any time during the event and either ask questions or share your comments to the whole team or join a breakout room to talk one-on-one with a team member.

    Register in advance: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_87yZ0OzaTKCwJQVZuIcSsg

    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

    To join via audio:
    US: +13126266799,,89685194223#,,,,*402189# or +16465588656,,89685194223#,,,,*402189#
    Webinar ID: 896 8519 4223
    Passcode: 402189

    At any time, please feel free to reach out to the Mobility Division with any of your questions or comments at transportation@somervillema.gov or 311 (617-666-3311).

    Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

  • Open House Rescheduled to Inclement Weather Date, July 11, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

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    Due to the weather forecast for the afternoon of July 10, we are moving the Tufts Street Reconstruction Outdoor Open House to the inclement weather date, July 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Glen Park Playground.

    We will continue to monitor the forecast and if there are any issues that come up for Thursday, we will post updated information on this project website. Please reach out to our team at transportation@somervillema.gov if you have any questions.

  • Tufts Street Reconstruction Community Open House, July 10

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    Links to flyers in English, Español, Português, नेपाली, 繁體中文, 简体中文, Kreyòl Ayisyen

    Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward One Councilor Matthew McLaughlin, and City of Somerville staff invite you to a community open house featuring an updated design for transportation safety improvements on Tufts Street.

    The event will take place Wednesday, July 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Glen Park Playground. If there is inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled to July 11.

    The outdoor open house will feature multiple stations describing different aspects of the street reconstruction project including an upcoming wall mural. Drop-in anytime during the event to review materials and talk with the project team about your feedback, questions, and ideas.

    Following the event, a recorded presentation and information about the updated design will be available on this project website.

    Other opportunities for community members to share feedback will include an online survey, a street outreach pop-up planned for July 23 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and virtual office hours with the project team on July 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Details for these engagement activities will be posted to this webpage.

    If you are interested in helping design and paint a portion of the Tufts Street wall mural, please contact Neighborways Design at somerville@neighborways.com.

    If you have any questions and comments regarding the project email our team at transportation@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311).

    Interpretation into any language is available upon advance request (at least 7 days in advance) by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva or calling 311 at 617-666-3311.

    Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

  • February 2024 Project Update

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    Thank you to all those who participated in virtual community meetings, street outreach pop-ups, and online surveys in the fall of 2023. We want to provide a project update that includes:

    1. Details about extending the design development schedule later into the summer of 2024.
    2. An overview of the yield street demonstration conducted with the Somerville Fire Department.
    3. A summary of parking utilization data collected in October.
    4. A report on community feedback we received about the concept design.

    Read below for more details. We will continue to post updates on this project website. You can also subscribe to the monthly Mobility newsletter to get email notifications direct to your inbox.

    New Project Schedule

    Over the last couple of months, we’ve processed the feedback we heard, analyzed parking utilization, and observed traffic behavior in a demonstration project. We are now revising the concept design to incorporate what we learned.

    During our community engagement, we heard advocacy from community members to widen sidewalks, install new crosswalks, and plant more trees and greenery. This requires deeper excavations than just replacing sidewalk and repaving. In light of this and new information we’ve received from our design consultants about potential shallow soil contamination, we’ve made the decision to extend the project schedule to allow for more extensive soil analysis. This due diligence analysis of the soils under Tufts Street is required due to past contamination from 50 Tufts Street which was previously used to store tetrachloroethylene (TCE), a chemical often used in dry cleaning.

    At this time, our plan is to complete the design this year. We anticipate construction to take place from 2025 to 2026. However, the design schedule and construction are subject to change depending on the results of the soil analysis. At this point we anticipate sharing an updated design at a community meeting in May or June.

    Yield Street Demonstration

    On November 14, 2023, City Staff from the Mobility Division and Fire Department conducted a demonstration of the Tufts Street concept shared in October 2023. Staff assembled traffic cones from the intersection at Washington Street to Glen Street and placed video message boards to communicate the traffic pattern change. Staff arranged the cones to narrow the width of the street to a yield condition, where cars need to wait using pull over areas to let oncoming traffic through. The Fire Department tested driving standard and longer tower fire trucks along the stretch of street. Throughout the demonstration, staff adjusted the placement of cones to see the impact to traffic. Click here for more details on the demonstration design.

    Parking Utilization Data Collection

    To better understand parking usage in the area, City staff counted parked cars within a 12-minute walking distance (0.4 miles) on two different days and times in October. The first at midday when parking utilization can be high because school is in session, and the second at night, when parking is historically at its highest when many residents are home for the night.

    We found that during school and on a day with street cleaning, 102 Resident Parking Permit spaces out of 267 were available for parking. At night, we found that 57 Resident Parking Permit spaces out of 267 were available for parking. Nearby are also parking lots available for resident permit parking between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. outside of school times.

    Check out this overview for more details on specific data collected.

    Fall Community Feedback Report

    From September 20, 2023, to December 11, 2023, City staff aimed to provide a variety of ways that community members could provide input on the proposed concept design for Tufts Street. Check out this report describing all the community outreach activities and specific comments, questions, and ideas we received. There is also a short summary below describing what we heard.

    Sidewalks

    We heard from many people who supported widening sidewalks to create more space for people walking and for new plantings. We heard opposition to the proposed changes because it precluded parking. Many people advocated for better walking infrastructure in general and we heard support for redoing the sidewalks to improve accessibility and comfort especially for people with strollers.

    Crossings

    Community members responded positively to the proposed new crossings. Many shared that they supported raised crosswalks to reduce speeding and make it safer to cross. We heard strong support for the new raised crosswalks at both ends of the street as well as for intersecting Glen and Dell Streets. Some requested a raised intersection at Washington Street, Knowlton Street and Tufts Street, and some requested curb extensions or a raised crosswalk across Cross Street and larger curb extensions on Tufts Street. Some further advocated for a raised crossing on Cross Street closer to the bridge to slow vehicles and make a more direct connection to the new community path entrance. Many asked for further improvements of the crossing across Washington Street to connect with the station such as moving the crosswalk closer to Tufts Street and making it more visible. Many urged the City to push the MBTA to make improvements at this crossing as soon as possible as it is part of outstanding Green Line Extension work. There was some concern from blind users about raised crosswalks and if they create accessibility issues. School representatives shared their support for curb extensions at Glen Street to prevent illegal parking at the corners and so ensure that school buses and shuttles aren’t prevented from turning onto Glen Street to get to the Capuano.

    Traffic

    There were concerns about the feasibility of the yield condition and inquiries for further data collection or comparison to other similar conditions in other cities. Many community members supported overall traffic calming and the desire to reroute vehicles who were using Tufts Street to bypass McGrath Highway. Some supported the pull over treatments but advocated for clear signage to indicate traffic pattern. Some shared concerns about traffic calming treatments such as new installations on Pearl Street and questioned if it resulted in safer driving. While others requested adding speed humps to the design. We heard a lot of support for repaving the street and getting rid of the potholes.

    Plantings & Amenities

    Many community members shared their support for more trees and green space. Some advocated for more trees to make the street more pleasant to be on, to help with storm water, and potentially provide shade. Some residents were interested in the addition of murals or art. Some shared concerns about existing lighting on the street. We heard some requests for more benches and trash cans. Some opposed additional greenery as they saw it excessive or preferred to have parking options.

    Bike facilities

    There was some support for new biking conditions in the concept as well as some concern around the efficacy of traffic calming to make it a Neighborway condition safe for biking in the travel lane. Some suggested making the pullover areas segments of separated bike infrastructure. Some feedback was specific about additional curb ramps for people biking and waiting areas to make turns easier. Some opposed the designs that required people biking to dismount at intersections or pull over to allow oncoming traffic. Some advocated for painting the crosswalk across Washington Street with green markings to indicate that it was shared use. Many shared concerns about safe ways to enter Tufts Street from Washington Street and Cross Street.

    Parking

    Residents who live nearby shared their concern and stress about the lack of parking in the concept. They described that it is difficult to find parking, and they feel that with the new affordable housing construction at 31 Tufts Street, the demand will increase. Some community members expressed frustration about how parking was removed as a temporary measure during Green Line construction but then made permanent in opposition to residents’ needs. Some felt that installing more trees did not preclude parking. Some shared their concern about people illegally parking in the pull-over areas causing traffic jams.

  • Tufts St. Concept Design – Emergency Vehicle Testing – Week of 11/13

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    Weather permitting, City staff will install a temporary street design to evaluate emergency vehicle operations as part of the Tufts Street Reconstruction project design process.

    What to expect:

    • Temporary spray paint and cones will be used to create a yield condition on the street.
      • Under a yield condition, the width of the street is narrowed, and vehicles must yield to oncoming traffic by using dedicated pull-over spaces. Traffic can still go in both directions. This is similar to how many residential streets in Somerville currently function.
    • The Somerville Fire Department will then evaluate how fire equipment moves along the street.
    • There will be no street closures, driveway access restrictions, or detours required.
    • Walking and rolling should not be impacted.
    • People on bicycles will be able to use the existing advisory bike lanes along the curb.

    Schedule (subject to change):

    • Testing is expected to take place for one day during the week of 11/13
    • The temporary condition is expected to be in place for approximately 3 hours during the 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. weekday timeframe.

    If you have any questions, please email transportation@somervillema.gov or call Kate White, Transportation Planner, at 617-366-7293 with questions.

  • Take the Concept Design Survey to Share Your Feedback

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    At the second community meeting on October 11, the City shared a proposed concept design for Tufts Street.

    Based on community member feedback and including other considerations such as emergency vehicles, the City set out to create a concept design to:

    • improve safety for people walking, rolling, biking, and driving
    • ensure emergency access
    • lower vehicle speeds and volumes
    • add new and safer crossings
    • ensure sidewalks and crossings are accessible
    • provide parking options for people with accessibility needs
    • and add trees, planted areas, and benches.

    The concept design includes a meandering path for vehicle and bike travel with dedicated pull over space, new longer planter areas with more trees, wider sidewalks, new and raised crosswalks at each intersection, and accessible parking spaces.

    We want to hear from you about your feedback on the proposed concept! Take the survey to share your comments, thoughts, and ideas. If you have ay questions, email transportation@somervillema.gov or call 617-666-3311. The deadline for the survey is November 30, 2023.

  • Check out the Second Community Meeting Materials

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    Thank you to all who were able to join City staff for the second community meeting. On Wednesday, October 11, from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., we hosted our second community meeting on Zoom. During the meeting, we shared an overview of the project, summarized community feedback we received over the last couple of months, presented the proposed Concept Design and discussed your initial feedback.

    Meeting Materials

    We want to continue to hear from you! There are multiple ways to share your input over the next month.

    Come join us at an upcoming street outreach pop-up to talk to staff in-person, share your ideas and ask questions.

    • Tuesday, October 17, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Glen Park Playground (rain date: October 24)
    • Thursday, October 19, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Tufts Street and Knowlton Street Intersection (rain date: October 26)

    Visit us at upcoming community events.


    Take our Concept Design Feedback Survey to share your feedback. The survey is now available until November 30, 2023.

    Si necesita ayuda en su idioma, comuníquese con nosotros a través de somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva o llame al 311 (617-666-3311)      

    Caso precise de assistência em seu idioma, entre em contato conosco por meio deste formulário online: somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva ou ligue para 311 (617-666-3311)      

    Si ou bezwen asistans nan lang ou a, kontakte nou nan somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva oswa rele 311 (617-666-3311)    

    यदि आफ्नो भाषामा सहायता चाहिन्छ भने कृपया सम्पर्क गर्नुहोस: www.somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva गर्नुहोस् वा यो ३११ (६१७-६६६-३३११) / 311 (617-666-3311)   

    如果您需要語言方面的協助 請撥打 311 (617-666-3311) 或於somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva 聯絡 彩薩默: 移民事務辦公室。  

    如果您需要语言方面的协助，请联系 (somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva)或者请拨打 311（617-666-3311）。

    If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at transportation@somervillema.gov.

  • Join us for the Second Community Meeting on October 11

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    Meeting Flyers Available In: English | Español | Português | नेपाली | Kreyòl Ayisyen | 简体中文版 | 繁體中文版

    Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 1 Councilor Matthew McLaughlin, and City staff invite you to a virtual community meeting to discuss Tufts Street Reconstruction.

    Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2023

    Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

    Register in advance: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3FEMDBmDREKBha6lo2uBYw

    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. You will also receive reminders one week and one day ahead.

    To join via audio:

    Description: In August, the City hosted the first public meeting for this project to hear from community members about transportation safety concerns, gather ideas for the street, and discuss potential design concepts. At this upcoming meeting, the City plans to share a conceptual design and get feedback from attendees.

    For those who can’t attend, the conceptual design will be posted on the project website after the meeting along with a survey to share feedback. You can also join staff at a series of street outreach pop-ups to be held after the meeting. Details for those events will be posted to this website.

    You can also share your feedback through our concept options poll! Questions? Email transportation@somervillema.gov.

    Interpretation into any language is available upon advance request (at least 7 days in advance) by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva or calling 311 at 617-666-3311.

    Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Page last updated: 30 Oct 2024, 03:41 PM