Tufts Street Reconstruction

At the Community Meeting on August 30, 2023, the project team introduced two different concept options for a redesigned Tufts Street.

The first option, named Mid-Block Moments, describes a street with a succession of two or more pinch points - areas where the road narrows to only let one car through - distributed along the street. The street would remain fairly straight but the pinch points discourage speeding and allow for moments to experience wider sidewalks and shorter and safer crossings. A typical layout of the street would be sidewalks approximately 10.5 feet in width (with 14 feet sidewalks at the pinch point), and vehicle lane widths of 9.5 feet in both directions (except at 12 feet at the pinch points). To further slow down speeds and reduce traffic volumes, we would propose adding a few speed humps between the pinch points.

The second option, named Meandering Opportunities, describes a meandering narrow street that allows us to maximize sidewalks widths and explore more open space opportunities. A typical layout of the street would have a road width of 12 feet. This creates a yield condition where cars would have to wait in dedicated pull-over areas for an oncoming car to pass. A yield street encourages cars to slow down and lowers traffic volumes. It also allows us to explore opportunities to create open spaces on sidewalks as wide as 19 feet in a few areas distributed along Tufts Street.

Take our quick poll to share your initial feedback on these two concept options!

On Friday, September 8, we canceled the street outreach pop-up planned for the intersection of Tufts Street and Knowlton Street at 4:00pm to 6:00pm due to the National Weather Service Heat Advisory. We had planned to host the pop-up during the rain date (September 11), but due to the forecasted rain starting in the afternoon and flood watch, we are postponing this pop-up.

We still plan to host the planned pop-up for September 12 at the Glen Street Park from 1:30pm to 4:00pm.

We anticipate hosting the next pop-up at the intersection of Tufts Street and Knowlton Street on Tuesday, September 19 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. We will post any outreach schedule changes to this project website.

Thank you for your patience as we work around the inclement weather. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at transportation@somervillema.gov.

Thank you to all who were able to join City staff for the first community meeting. On Wednesday, August 30, from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., we hosted our first community meeting on Zoom. During the meeting, we shared background on the project, related plans and ordinances, community engagement strategies, and design opportunities and constraints. We also gathered feedback from attendees about transportation safety concerns and initial feedback to design options.

Meeting Materials

• Click here to download the slides shared at the meeting.
• Click here for a video recording of the meeting.

We want to continue to hear from you! There are multiple ways to share your input this September to help us learn more about your transportation safety concerns and gather feedback on design elements we should include in the project.

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

• Friday, September 8, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Tufts Street and Knowlton Street Intersection (rain date: September 11)
• Tuesday, September 12, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Glen Park Playground (rain date: September 19)

You can also share your ideas through our survey! Take it online in English, Español, Português, Kreyòl Ayisyen, नेपाली, 简体中文版, 繁體中文版.

Add your comments to our online Public Input Map. Writing your comments on this map will help let us know what you see as issues and opportunities in the project area. Use pins to highlight locations that you think it is important for us to prioritize for changes or improvements, as well as locations that are currently working well. Once you add a pin, you can also include comments and images to highlight specific priorities or concerns.

At anytime, you can always share your ideas or questions via email to transportation@somervillema.gov or via phone at 617-666-3311. Subscribe to the Mobility Monthly Newsletter for project updates.

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, August 30, 2023

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

Register in advance: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6GaVNJK8ROSERXZVZp9mOw

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:

• US: +16465588656,,82307326244#US (New York) or +16469313860,,82307326244#US
• Or dial: +1 646-558-8656 and enter the webinar ID
• Webinar ID: 823 0732 6244

Description: The City of Somerville is planning to rebuild sidewalks and repave Tufts Street between Cross Street and Washington Street. We are also redesigning the street to make it safer for people walking, rolling, biking, taking buses, and driving. What changes would you like to see? Join us at this virtual community meeting to learn more and share your feedback.

You can also share your ideas through our survey! Take it online in English, Español, Português, Kreyòl Ayisyen, नेपाली, 简体中文版, 繁體中文版. 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.