Rendering of plans for the new Neighborway on Mossland Street at the intersection of Elm Street. ~ Courtesy of City of Somerville

Street will be transformed into walk- and bike-friendly “neighborway” as part of Elm-Beacon Connector safety project

Beginning Thursday, October 15, Mossland St. will be closed to motor vehicles at its intersection with Elm Street. Going forward, motor vehicles accessing Mossland St. will need to enter and exit via Somerville Ave.

To facilitate the traffic pattern change, City contractors and staff will install temporary traffic barriers, update street signage, implement new traffic signal timing, and add new pavement markings and flex posts.

The Mossland St. Neighborway Aims to Bring Greater Safety

Mossland St. is becoming a “Neighborway,” a walk- and bike-friendly street designed to lower vehicle volumes and speeds while prioritizing the experience of local residents.

For people biking, a new two-way bike connection will be created at the intersection of Elm Street with pavement markings and flex posts connecting to protected bike lanes on Elm Street and Somerville Avenue.

Access for emergency vehicles will be retained at both ends of the street.

Related Traffic Signal Changes

Nearby traffic signal equipment and timing will be upgraded to mitigate potential congestion due to changes in local traffic patterns.

Temporary timing changes will be put in place this week. Permanent signal equipment upgrades and timing changes, based on extensive traffic analysis, are expected to be in place by November.

More About the Project 

This work is being undertaken as part of the Elm-Beacon Connector Safety Improvements project which includes Elm Street between Russell St. and Somerville Ave., Somerville Ave. between the City Line and Elm St., and Beacon St. between Somerville Ave. and Oxford St. in addition to Mossland St.

The project is designed to increase safety for everyone using these streets.

In addition to the community feedback, the design is informed by Somerville’s commitment to Vision Zero (a commitment to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injury) and the City’s Bicycle Network Plan (a roadmap for expanding bicycle safety and features across the city).

To learn more about the project, including details on the final design, feedback from the community process, and updates on installation please visit somervillema.gov/elmbeacon.

To view this update and more City news on the City website, visit somervillema.gov/news.