A number of important issues were discussed at the latest Somerville Traffic and Parking Committee meeting. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jordan Pagkalinawan

The Somerville Traffic and Parking Committee met on September 29 to discuss 13 orders related to signage updates, crosswalk and stop sign installations, and an update on changes to MBTA bus route 90.

“No Motorized Vehicles” sign along Community Path

The committee first heard from Director of Mobility Brad Rawson regarding the upgrade of a “No Motorized Vehicles” sign at the entrances of the Community Path. Rawson acknowledged the community’s concerns over motorized vehicles “disproportionately using the path, often in aggressive circumstances.”

“Signage is one of the things that we fully expect will be developed and designed, funded and installed coming out of our community process,” Rawson said. He added that while there is no exact schedule for that sign to be installed, the earliest anticipated date would come in the spring.

Crosswalks on Walnut St. near Winter Hill Community Innovation School

The committee then discussed the feasibility of a proposed crosswalk along Walnut Street and Wigglesworth Street to protect students, families, and educators walking to and from the Winter Hill Community Innovation School.

Samantha Zielstorff, a parent of two Winter Hill School students, reiterated the community’s concerns toward the committee and the desire for a crosswalk or other “traffic calming measures” in the intersections.

“We hope this can be a priority, because there are kids walking daily and there are no crosswalks,” she said. “Many kids are also walking on their own, and we can see that it’s a dangerous situation not having any crosswalks on these streets.”

Department of Engineering Director Brian Postlewaite responded to Zielstorff, saying that he shares the community’s goal to “have children walk to school in our community” safely. He added that both crosswalk locations are being considered, but said its priority would have to be weighed between other locations ”that have similar and equally valid requests.”

According to Postlewaite, additional crosswalks near the Winter Hill Community School could be prioritized sooner rather than later, but hiring contractors will be a challenge because of the nearby West Pearl project. Rawson also reminded the committee that there are many criteria that should be reviewed to cite new crosswalks, saying, “The exact locations sometimes vary [from] the ones that folks advocate for.”

Update on unsafe crossing at Community Path at School Street

Community member Ben Orenstein advocated for changes to an unsafe crossing along the Community Path and School Street, citing the “nasty corner” that compelled him to install a convex mirror to mitigate the issue.

Postlewaite said that the intersection’s sharp corner has been an issue for years, leading to councilors and the city to look for solutions. He added that it’s been “an understandably difficult intersection to resolve” because of neighboring “high-profile” construction projects of Somerville High School and the Gilman Square T stop.

Changing the corner at School Street would be “impossible” without changing the structure of the Community Path’s Skybridge, according to Postlewaite. Since design plans for the Skybridge are still being developed, he requested that this item be kept in committee until those plans can be shared with the committee and the general public.

Left turn signal at Somerville and Bow

Director Postlewaite explained a recent request to install a left turn signal from Somerville Avenue onto Bow Street. He said the proposal would not be “the most appropriate solution,” because it would confuse motorists who can turn left onto Washington Street shortly after.

Instead, the Department of Engineering recently installed a “Left Turn After Stop” sign, which allows motorists who are first in line at a red light to take a left turn after stopping and checking both ways.

Magoun Square Municipal Parking Lot sign upgrade

Businesses in Magoun Square requested that the committee install a “Magoun Square Municipal Parking Lot” sign to inform clients that they could park in a designated lot in the square. Suzanne Rinfret, the Director of Parking, noted that various parking signs already exist there, but she is also open to installing new signage that fits the committee’s needs.

Return “Do Not Block intersection” sign to Broadway and Hinckley

Community members requested the return of a “Do Not Block Intersection” sign to Broadway and Hinckley Street, citing the confusion it created among drivers since its removal due to construction. Director Postlewaite said the sign is not a priority to return since it does not match the safety criteria to return “do not block” signage.

Pinckney Street speedbump and Neighborway potential

Rawson noted that Pinckney Street has been added to the Department of Mobility’s list of streets that will be considered for review of traffic calming measures.

“As a reminder, this is a very long list,” he added. “We have way more demands for traffic calming than we can accommodate in any given year or two, but we will start that due diligence process and look for ways to communicate with residents about how to stay involved.”

He confirmed that Pinckney Street is not currently being considered for part of the city’s Neighborway program, which makes streets walk- and bike-friendly, though that designation could change in the future.

“As we get closer to looking at that neighborhood holistically, we can speak with the ward councilor, we can speak with neighbors about the relative needs and merits of Florence versus Pinckney versus Mount Vernon in that portion of East Somerville,” Rawson added.

Recent changes to MBTA bus route 90

The committee received a comprehensive summary of past changes to the MBTA’s route 90 as well as an update on where changes stand now.

Rawson also addressed Councilor Willie Burnley Jr.’s concerns regarding the removal of parking along Cross Street to make room for MBTA buses, saying that the MBTA’s Safety and Operations Team brought up a “daily challenge” of navigating the narrow road, which includes damage to buses and gridlock traffic. The MBTA was willing to move route 90 back into the neighborhood with an emphasis on operator and public safety.

“In terms of next steps, the recommendation was to restrict parking closest to the signalized intersection at Cross and Broadway,” Rawson said.

Burnley requested that the city bring in bus crash data and the MBTA’s requirements to supplement conversations over bus service along Cross Street.

Stop signs at Ten Hills Road and Governor Winthrop Road

One order proposed the addition of signage at Ten Hills Road and Governor Winthrop Road, which would make the intersection a four-way stop. Rawson explained that such installations are more complicated than they seem at first glance, adding that roadway owners would be obligated to perform analyses and demonstrate compliance with criteria that warrant a stop sign to be present.

“We have not yet initiated a due diligence of this particular location,” Rawson said, adding that he and Postlewaite would reach out to Councilor Jesse Clingan to understand residents’ concerns in order to “provide a more thoughtful response.”

Traffic signal equipment update at Rogers and Boston

Postlewaite updated the committee on traffic signal equipment upgrades at Rogers Avenue and Boston Avenue, saying that the upgrade could not be done as a “one-off” with many other upgrades at nearby intersections in the works.

“The next best way to handle this – especially because of Willow Street – is to couple this into a larger construction project,” he said, adding that such a project could come in the next few years. Postlewaite emphasized that the committee should “stay on top of” the project, noting that “It’s an important component of the city.”

Push-button flashing beacon stop sign near East Somerville Community School

The thirteenth and final item requested the installation of a push-button stop sign with a flashing beacon along Cross Street near East Somerville Community School. Rawson explained that the proposal would be considered, but the particular signal is usually reserved for multi-lane streets.

“It can be complicated to find the right types of street crossings where specific signalization is helpful and should be prioritized,” Rawson said. “City staff are currently going through a prioritization process to establish criteria for when we use this particular type of rapid flashing beacon.”

“We will work with Councilor McLaughlin and his constituents to understand the problem and try to continue making investments to support safe crossings in front of our schools,” he added.

The Traffic and Parking Committee’s next meeting will be on November 6 at 6 p.m.