Traffic and Parking Committee

• Date: May 18, 2026
• Governing Body: Traffic and Parking Committee of the Somerville City Council
• Meeting Type: Committee Meeting
• Attendees:
  • Councilor Naima Sait (Chair)
  • Councilor Ben Wheeler
  • Councilor Will Mbah
  • Elio LaRusso (ISD Building Inspector)
  • Floyd Richardson (ISD Building Inspector)
  • Lieutenant Holland (Somerville Police Department)
  • Brad Rawson (Director of Mobility)
  • Justin Schreiber (Senior Transportation Planner)
  • Serena Bodner (Resident)

The committee discussed a public communication from 64 residents regarding parking issues and Agenda Item 3 (Order 26-0634), a review of construction-related parking in the Oak and Bolton Street areas.

• ISD Update: Inspector Elio LaRusso and Floyd Richardson reported that multiple large projects on Prospect Street (specifically 54 and 118 Prospect) have caused contractor vehicles to spill over into residential side streets.
• Action Plan: ISD committed to meeting with developers to remind them of their traffic construction plans and neighborly obligations. Chair Sait requested that ISD coordinate directly with the Traffic and Parking Department to ensure enforcement is proactive rather than reactive.
• Police Enforcement: Lieutenant Holland stated that the area would be prioritized for enforcement. He advised residents to call the SPD business line (617-625-1212) for immediate response to blocked driveways or illegal road obstructions.
• Public Comment: Serena Bodner (31 Bolton Street) emphasized the need for proactive solutions, stating: "I'm actually really encouraged by what I was hearing... I really think this is going to end up being a multi-department solution."
• Vote: Item 3 was recommended for approval (3-0).
  • Councilor Wheeler: Yes
  • Councilor Mbah: Yes
  • Councilor Sait: Yes

Director Brad Rawson provided an update on the multi-phase Union Square streetscape project affecting the Webster Avenue and Prospect Street intersection.

• Project Status: The project is currently at the 25% design milestone.
• Financials:
  • Phase 1 Design: Estimated at $1.2 million; $800,000 in state grant funding has been secured.
  • Phase 1 Construction: Estimated at $11 million; $1.4 million in state grant funding has been secured.
• Timeline: Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in Spring 2028, potentially aligning with the MassDOT Webster Avenue Bridge replacement in 2027.
• Quick Build Options: Director Rawson noted that while quick-build solutions (like flex-posts) are considered, they often cannot accommodate necessary ADA accessibility upgrades.

Senior Planner Justin Schreiber presented the second annual report required by the 2024 Safe Streets Ordinance.

• Bicycle Network Progress: The priority network was updated to 28.79 miles (a net increase of 0.33 miles).
• 2025 Review: 2.03 miles of the planned 2.37 miles on McGrath Highway were completed by MassDOT, with delays attributed to bridge structural repairs.
• 2026 Plan: The city plans to install 1.96 miles of separated bike lanes, including the Elm-Beacon Connector and segments on Broadway and Pearl Street.
• Long-term Outlook: The report noted that due to staffing and funding constraints, the city may not fully complete the priority network by the 2030 deadline.
• Safety Data: Director Rawson highlighted that Somerville has seen three consecutive years (2023-2025) without a fatal traffic crash.

The committee discussed a resolution to pilot bicycle yield signals that would allow cyclists to proceed during pedestrian walk cycles.

• Regulatory Constraints: Director Rawson and Planner Schreiber explained that the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) prohibits the specific signal pattern requested.
• Technical Guidance: Federal rules require that bicycle signals have no conflicts with other movements, making a "yield to pedestrian" signal face legally non-compliant at this time.
• Outcome: The item was marked as work completed with no further action.

The committee reviewed a resolution regarding safety improvements at the intersection of Broadway and Main Street.

• Operational Changes: The Mobility Division recently upgraded signal equipment to remove a "ghost" trigger from a private driveway, shortening the signal cycle and reducing the incentive for drivers to run red lights.
• Future Plans: The intersection is included in the city's five-year street and sidewalk reconstruction plan, though a specific construction date has not yet been set.
• Outcome: The item was marked as work completed.