Executive Summary
The Somerville City Council Traffic and Parking Committee met remotely on October 5, 2026, to consider several transit, pedestrian safety, and roadway infrastructure matters. The committee discussed comments submitted by the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee regarding the MBTA's Better Bus Network Redesign, focusing on preserving Route 80 service. Members also reviewed safety requests for a no-turn-on-red restriction at Broadway and Cedar Street, traffic calming evaluations for Vernon Street and the Prospect Hill neighborhood, and immediate safety interventions along the Community Path, including thermoplastic rumble strips and updated signage. Additionally, the Engineering Division provided status updates on crosswalk designs connecting to Green Line stations at Lowell Street and School Street.
Committee Organization and Agenda Adjustments (Items 2 and 3)
- Chair Naima Sait called the remote meeting to order pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023.
- A roll call established a quorum with three members present: Chair Naima Sait, Councilor Ben Wheeler, and Councilor Will Mbah.
- Items 2 and 3 regarding parking matters were postponed and kept in committee due to the absence of Parking Director Suzanne Rinfret, to be taken up the following month.
Comments on MBTA Bus Network Redesign (Item 4)
- The committee reviewed official comments submitted by the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) regarding the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Better Bus Network Redesign (ID #26-1183).
- Director of Mobility Brad Rawson reported that the MBTA's approved proposal would eliminate Route 80 service connecting Ball Square, Magoon Square, Gilman Square, East Somerville, and Lechmere, rerouting western service from Arlington Center down College Avenue to Davis Square.
- Key discussion points included:
- The city and PTAC strongly oppose the elimination of Route 80, arguing that Green Line service is not duplicative due to local topography, street grid layout, and accessibility constraints.
- Route 80 is considered critical for serving the future 115 Sycamore Street school project, which was not factored into the MBTA's 2021–2022 service planning.
- Mayor Jake Wilson and city mobility staff have advocated directly to the MBTA and state transportation officials to preserve service.
- Councilor Wheeler emphasized PTAC's recommendations regarding Route 85, pointing out that early service cutoffs and lack of weekend service suppress transit ridership.
- Director Rawson noted Route 80 daily ridership currently sits at approximately 30% of pre-pandemic levels, compared to 50% to 70% across other Somerville bus routes.
- MBTA recently closed a public comment period and is anticipated to announce potential adjustments in winter 2026 or early 2027.
- The item was marked as completed in committee, with plans for councilors to file a follow-up order in January 2027.
No Turn on Red Sign Installation at Broadway and Cedar Street (Item 5)
- The committee discussed a council order requesting the Director of Mobility install a no-turn-on-red sign at the intersection of Broadway and Cedar Street (ID #26-1425).
- Chair Sait noted significant safety risks for pedestrians and youth crossing Broadway to reach Trum Field and local retail, compounded by heavy DPW truck traffic and emergency vehicles using Cedar Street.
- Director Rawson explained that approximately 97% of eligible signalized turns in Somerville already prohibit turns on red, but the dedicated right-turn lane onto southbound Cedar Street currently lacks an explicit restriction on the books.
- Mobility and Engineering staff are advancing concept designs for a comprehensive intersection reconstruction, with bidding targeted for winter 2026–2027 and potential construction starting in summer 2027.
- Staff agreed to examine short-term signage remedies and signal phases to present a recommendation to the Traffic Commission.
- The item was kept in committee pending follow-up from city staff.
Intersection Safety at Vernon Street and Partridge Avenue (Item 6)
- The committee considered an order directing the Director of Mobility to take steps to improve safety at the intersection of Vernon Street and Partridge Avenue (ID #26-1426).
- Director Rawson reported that traffic volume and speed data have been collected for Vernon Street and adjacent corridors as part of the city's traffic calming evaluation program.
- Staff are reviewing candidate locations for the traffic calming program and expect to update the city's online traffic calming map in fall 2026.
- Additional safety interventions, including sightline clearance under the Clear Corners initiative and Fire Department turning radius reviews, will be evaluated.
- The item was marked as completed.
Traffic Calming Measures in the Prospect Hill Neighborhood (Item 7)
- The committee addressed a council order sponsored by Councilors Mbah, Jon Link, and Ben Ewen-Campen requesting traffic calming measures in the Prospect Hill neighborhood, including Munroe Street, Greenville Street, Hamlet Street, Prospect Hill Avenue, and Walnut Street (ID #26-1112).
- Director Rawson stated that mobility staff have authorized traffic data collection scheduled for mid-October 2026 to measure speeds, volumes, and pedestrian activity near Prospect Hill Park.
- Following data collection and analysis, an interdepartmental review involving the Department of Public Works, Fire Department, Parking, and Engineering will determine whether these corridors will be programmed into the 2027–2028 or 2028–2029 construction cycles.
- The item was marked as completed.
Community Path Signage and Safety Improvements (Items 8 and 10)
- The committee jointly considered two orders related to the Community Path:
- Adding signage near Maxwell's Green and Lowell Street (ID #26-0138).
- Implementing safety strategies on the path, including signage, speed regulations, and e-bike management (ID #26-0136).
- Director Rawson summarized the Mobility Department's newly released short-term Community Path safety report, informed by a 1,200-respondent public survey:
- Thermoplastic rumble strips/speed humps are being deployed to slow down high-speed wheeled users approaching conflict points, with initial testing underway between Central Street and Sycamore Street.
- New intuitive, graphic-based signage will be installed during fall 2026 to replace outdated "Bike Route" signs, reinforcing that pedestrians have priority and identifying prohibited motorized vehicles.
- Markings and flexposts will be installed overnight to minimize daytime disruption to path users.
- Item 10 was kept in committee to allow for a focused discussion on traffic enforcement with the Somerville Police Department at a future meeting.
- Recommendation of approval for Item 8 passed 2-0 (Councilor Mbah absent).
Crosswalk Construction at Lowell Street and School Street Green Line Stations (Item 9)
- Director of Engineering Brian Postlewaite provided an update on planned crosswalk improvements connecting to Green Line stations at Lowell Street and School Street (ID #26-0137).
- Lowell Street Crosswalk:
- The previously considered crosswalk directly facing the station entrance at Maxwell's Green was ruled out due to Fire Department operational concerns and narrow street geometry.
- The city selected an alternative location at Vernon Street and Lowell Street featuring a raised crossing, which falls outside MassDOT bridge jurisdiction and does not require state approvals.
- Final construction drawings are being prepared for inclusion in the FY27 annual streets contract, with bidding scheduled between December 2026 and February 2027 alongside the Broadway Magoon project.
- School Street Crosswalk:
- The path offset requires pedestrians and cyclists to navigate a 10-to-15-foot jog directly on the MassDOT-owned bridge.
- MassDOT rejected a full-width raised crosswalk over concerns that vehicle impacts would compromise bridge joint integrity.
- Engineering developed a hybrid design consisting of a raised crossing on the bicycle side and an at-grade crossing for motor vehicles, separated by a pedestrian median island.
- City staff and the Fire Department are refining turning radii to maintain emergency access to Montrose Street and Somerville High School driveways.
- MassDOT review is expected before the end of 2026, with construction documents targeted for summer/fall 2027 under the FY28 annual streets contract.
- Recommendation of approval for Item 9 passed 2-0 (Councilor Mbah absent).