Western Pearl Street Updated Design Feedback Survey

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on the Updated Design of Western Pearl Street. The City presented two design options to community members in May 2025. The City spent the past few months reviewing all the community feedback we collected on these design options, choosing one design direction, and advancing the design. We aim to hear your input to see how we can make further changes before finalizing the design and preparing for construction between 2026 and 2027.

Along with repaving the street and reconstructing the sidewalks to ensure accessibility, we aimed to develop a design that increased safety for all people traveling the street, provided reliable and sustainable transportation options, and incorporated more greenery. Our goal was to provide biking options in both directions in the project area to meet the intentions of the Somerville Bicycle Network Plan while maintaining some parking options and opportunities to enhance crosswalks and planted areas. The design was shaped by the many community members who shared with us their transportation safety concerns and their feedback on conceptual ideas.

For more details about the design:

Review the October 4 Open House Posters.
Check out the illustrated roll plan.
Watch the recorded presentation about the Updated Design (available by October 10)

We now want to hear from you! Please take this 5 to10-minute survey to share your feedback on the design and a bit about yourself to help us learn better who we are reaching. You can also call us at 311 (617-666-3311) if you would prefer to conduct the survey over the phone or email your feedback to our team at transportation@somervillema.gov.

Section 1: Updated Design Feedback

How do you feel about the Updated Design for Western Pearl Street? Please choose one.

* required

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.

If you could make further changes to the design, what would you like to see?

Do you feel like the design meets the following goals?

Increase safety for people walking and rolling (using a mobility device)

Yes

Somewhat

Not sure

Increase safety for people biking

Yes

Somewhat

Not sure

Increase safety for people driving

Yes

Somewhat

Not sure

Provide a better bus experience

Yes

Somewhat

Not sure

Provide enough space for plant life and trees

Yes

Somewhat

Not sure

At the intersection of Pearl Street and Walnut Street, we are proposing to construct a raised intersection. With this change in design, we are considering changing the traffic signal from a red/yellow/green signal to flashing in red for vehicles in all directions so that the intersection would function like a four-way stop sign intersection. People walking will be able to cross the street at any time, and people driving will be required to stop at the intersection.

People who feel more comfortable pressing the button for a dedicated walk signal will also be able to do so. When the button is pressed, the flashing red lights will become solid red lights for people driving, and people walking will receive a walk signal. How do you feel about this potential change?

What other comments or questions do you have about the design for Western Pearl Street?

Section 2: Demographic Information

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

Flier on my door

Word of Mouth

Social media

Newsletter

City outreach event 

Other (please specify)

Did you engage in any of the following events? Check all that apply.

Attended the October 9, 2024, Virtual Community Meeting.

Attended the May 13, 2025, Open House.

Attended the October 4, 2025, Open House.

Talked to staff at the Fall or Spring Street Outreach Pop-Ups.

Talked to staff at the Gilman Square Arts & Music Festival in 2024 or 2025.

Attended one or more of the Virtual Office Hours.

Talked to the project team during small business visits.

Emailed the Mobility Division during the design development.

Attended one or more of the Pearl Street Park residents’ meetings.

Participated in the Groundwork Somerville youth workshops.

I did not participate in any of these activities.

Other (please specify)

Where in Somerville do you live?

On Western Pearl Street (between McGrath Highway and Medford Street).

In Somerville within a 5-minute walk of Western Pearl Street.

In Somerville, but further than a 5-minute walk from Western Pearl Street.

I don’t live in Somerville.

10.

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

Bicycle

Car

Bus

Rapid Transit (Green Line and other MBTA subway lines)

Commuter Rail

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or taxi 

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

Other (please specify)

11.

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)

12.

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

13.

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

Select option

14.

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

Select option

15.

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 over

Prefer not to say

16.

What is your gender? Check all that apply.

Woman

Man

Non-binary

Prefer not to say

Prefer to self-describe:

17.

What language(s) do you speak at home? 

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

18.

What is your housing status in Somerville?

Own

Rent

Temporary or unstable housing

Prefer not to answer

Other (please describe)

19.

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

Yes

Prefer not to say

Prefer to self-describe: