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100% Design Plans (posted April 29, 2013)
The transcript and public comments from the MassDOT public hearing of February 26, 2013 are now online. The document, prepared by MassDOT, also includes the transcript of the first public hearing held on April 12, 2011 and other documents submitted. It can be viewed at here (70 MB PDF).
Read the initial release from MassDOT here. (posted Jan. 29, 2013)
Federal Highway Administration memo referenced in the above MassDOT release.
MassDOT response to Federal Highway memo of January 23 here.
75% Design Plans (posted March 30, 2012)
Full 75% Plan (very large document, 95MBs PDF) - Presented at April 4, 2012 meeting (posted on October 22, 2012)
Mass. Ave. Corridor Project
The transformation of Mass. Ave. from a transportation corridor to one of Arlington’s great pedestrian-friendly streets is underway. The Town received confirmation of state and federal funding to redesign the eastern section of Mass. Ave. from the Cambridge city line to Pond Lane. Public Meetings have been scheduled to inform residents about the project, listen to concerns, and solicit ideas.
The primary goal of the project is to upgrade the aging infrastructure including resurfacing the road, rebuilding sidewalks, and replacing outdated traffic signals. As part of this project, there will be some redesign of this section of Mass. Ave. to revitalize the commercial area and make the corridor more pedestrian friendly with a healthy balance between automobiles, bikes, pedestrians, and transit users. The Redesign will strive to create a truly livable, pedestrian friendly street, where people feel safe and comfortable meeting, shopping, and strolling, while also creating a vehicular traffic system that is safe, efficient, and easy to navigate.
During this process the Town will consider a number of different kinds of improvements, including:
Shorter and more visible crosswalks.
Clearly marked and dedicated bikeways and travel lanes.
Changes in street width and sidewalk width that offer options for seating, cafés and landscaping.
Improved on-street parking to support a healthy retail environment in the East Arlington commercial district.
Improved and coordinated traffic signals.
Pedestrian scale lighting for safety at key locations.
Street furnishings that make using Mass. Ave. more comfortable.
The Town is currently in the design stage of Phase 1 of the project. Phase 1 is focused on the area between the Cambridge city line and Pond Lane (map).
Current Documents (in pdf format)
Project Summary (Updated February 22, 2013 - originally posted August 17, 2010 and updated April 2, 2011)
Functional Design Report (57MBs PDF) submitted to MassDOT for review. Any updates to this document will be posted here (originally posted November 22, 2010).
Mass Ave West originally posted October 15, 2010 - Pond Lane to Oxford St (845K pdf)
Mass Ave East originally posted October 15, 2010- Oxford Street to Alewife Brook Parkway (915K pdf)
Public meetings have been held to inform residents about the project and solicit input. You can view a history of these meetings and other archive materials here.
You can visit the MassDOT site for additional updates on this project. Please visit the Project section and select, Arlington here.
Historic Chronology - At a glance chronology of project goals and timeline since 1996 compiled by the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC).
The project is being managed for the Town by the Planning Department and the Department of Public Works, with participation from the Transportation Advisory Committee. Fay, Spofford & Thorndike are the engineering consultants to the Town. A Review Committee has also been established to advise on the project.
Residents are encouraged to send questions or comments to Laura Wiener, Senior Planner, at lwiener@town.arlington.ma.us or call 781-316-3091.
There are plans for future development of the Mass. Ave. Corridor to Arlington Center after the completion of Phase 1.
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