March 16, 2026

Items Recommended for Full Council

McGrath Boulevard: PTAC Comments and Design Discussion – Recommended as Work Completed (3-0)

The committee took up three related items together: the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee's comment letter on MassDOT's 25% design for McGrath Boulevard, a council order requesting the Director of Mobility discuss PTAC's recommendations, and a request to block Virginia Street and Aldrich Street to through traffic. All were marked work completed after extensive discussion.

No Turn on Red Sign at Bow Street & Warren Avenue – Recommended as Work Completed (3-0)

The city's technical evaluation confirmed that a No Turn on Red sign should be installed for westbound Bow Street at Warren Avenue. Director Rawson reported the sign is expected to be installed this spring, pending scheduling with DPW and parking department staff who have been dealing with a heavy snow season. Councilor Wheeler noted the intersection's proximity to Properzi Manor, home to many senior residents and residents with disabilities.

Committee Discussion

McGrath Boulevard Project Overview

Director Brad Rawson and Senior Transportation Planner Justin Schreiber presented a detailed update on the $130 million, four-year McGrath Boulevard reconstruction project. Key context:

• The project runs from Broadway (East Somerville/Winter Hill border) south to Squires Bridge near Somerville Avenue

• The project will tear down the McCarthy Viaduct elevated highway and create a slower, safer at-grade boulevard

• Traffic volumes on Route 28 have dropped to roughly two-thirds of levels from 15 years ago, giving engineers confidence in a smaller road design

• Construction bidding is expected by late 2027, with shovels in the ground in 2028

• The 75%/100% design milestone is approximately one year away

PTAC Letter: Point-by-Point Discussion

The committee walked through each recommendation in the PTAC advocacy letter:

Otis Street signalization: PTAC requested full traffic signal installation at this crossing (currently a pedestrian overpass). Massachusetts regulations limit when new signals can be installed, requiring specific traffic volume warrants. The city continues to push for full signalization but acknowledged MassDOT may not be able to grant it. If not, the city strongly prefers a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RFB) over a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (HAWK), citing safety concerns with HAWKs — particularly that they go dark when inactive and allow drivers to proceed during the flashing don't-walk phase. Schreiber noted a fatal crash on Mystic Avenue involving a HAWK. A raised crosswalk has been added at this location through community advocacy — a first for MassDOT on a state highway.

Target speed: PTAC requested lowering the target speed from 30 mph to 25 mph. The city has repeatedly advocated for 25 mph, but MassDOT has set 30 mph in the functional design report based on intersection spacing and roadway characteristics. Current 85th-percentile speeds are in the upper 30s to 40 mph, so 30 mph represents significant improvement. Staff emphasized that physical design elements (raised crosswalks, curb extensions, signal timing) matter more than posted speeds for changing driver behavior. A post-construction speed study could justify a lower posted limit.

Prospect Hill Avenue/Cross Street crossing: The Z-shaped pedestrian crossing design accommodates a significant grade change with ADA-compliant ramps. Councilor Wheeler raised concerns about the long crossing distance potentially discouraging able-bodied pedestrians and encouraging jaywalking. He asked about adding stairs alongside the ramp. Schreiber explained traffic engineers avoid placing two crosswalks in close proximity but noted the design team is working to minimize the distance.

Median width and transit accommodation: PTAC advocated narrowing the median to widen sidewalks. Schreiber explained the city supports maintaining a minimum 10-foot median for three reasons: (1) large mature tree plantings require at least 10 feet, (2) pedestrian refuge islands at intersections need adequate width for families, strollers, and wheelchairs, and (3) preserving space for potential future bus platforms or a center-running busway. In the widest sections, sidewalk areas already span 40-70+ feet from curb to property line. Staff are requesting narrowing at a few constrained northern locations near Pearl Street/Broadway.

Bus service: The MBTA's Route 85 (consolidating existing 85 and CT2, effective April 1) is initially running on Washington Street because there's no safe southbound bus stop on McGrath between Highland Avenue and Broadway. The route is intended to shift to McGrath Boulevard once reconstruction is complete. Chair Sait asked about city-operated shuttle service as an alternative to waiting for MBTA; Rawson confirmed the design would accommodate smaller shuttle vehicles and referenced past experience with the Bridgehopper shuttle in 2019, while noting such services are expensive.

Virginia Street/Aldrich Street Access

The MassDOT design eliminates the motor vehicle connection from southbound McGrath into this neighborhood. Staff reported hearing from residents on both sides — some want cut-through traffic eliminated, others worry about losing local access. Schreiber recommended a wait-and-see approach, letting the McGrath project make the change and then evaluating impacts rather than making premature changes. No neighborhood meetings are planned on this specific topic.

City-MassDOT Collaboration

Rawson praised the collaborative relationship, describing weekly/biweekly staff meetings with MassDOT project managers, subject-specific design sessions (forestry, stormwater, etc.), and MassDOT's willingness to meet with community groups including state legislators, PTAC, the bicycle advisory committee, and the McGrath Coalition (led by Somerville Alliance for Safe Streets and Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership).

What's Next

• All items head to full council as work completed

• City staff will continue advocating to MassDOT for full signalization at Otis Street, additional raised crosswalks (particularly at Pearl Street), and lower design speeds

• No Turn on Red sign at Bow Street/Warren Avenue expected to be installed this spring

• MassDOT's McGrath Boulevard design advances toward 75%/100% milestone (approximately one year away) and construction bidding by late 2027

• No immediate changes planned for Virginia Street/Aldrich Street; impacts will be evaluated after McGrath construction