The Magoun Broadway Reconstruction Project open house provided the latest info for the public’s perusal.

By Keith Foster

The City of Somerville provided an updated design open house for the Magoun Square Reconstruction Project for residents on November 4 at the Arthur D. Healey School.

The city is planning to reconstruct sidewalks, repave, and redesign Broadway between Winchester Street and Central Street to increase safety, improve accessibility, incorporate more sustainability, and create a more comfortable street.

The city published conceptual designs in May 2026 and sought community feedback to help determine the design direction for the Magoun Square intersection and clarify design ideas for the street. It has now developed an updated design that includes protected bike lanes, a roundabout for the Magoun Square intersection, shortened crossing distances, raised crosswalks, traffic calming, and floating bus stops.

Annie MacKenzie, a resident of Somerville, said pedestrian safety is the top priority at the Magoun Square intersection. Cars approach from five different directions, making it scary to cross, especially when the days get shorter.

Adam Polinski of the mobility division had a lot to say about the roundabout. They hope to settle on an avocado or peanut shape for the roundabout due to how Medford Street and Broadway meet. The lanes will be 15 feet wide, with one entry lane on each approach. A dedicated perimeter path will enable bikes to circulate on the outside. Crosswalks will be marked on all legs, set back farther from the circulating lane, and designed as raised crosswalks, with pedestrian signals, raised push buttons, and beacons provided to support safe crossings. The roundabout will tighten things up. There will be raised bus stops, and the traffic light will be eliminated.

Visit somervillema.gov/broadwaymagoun for more information and project details.