Letter from Mayor Joe Curtatone

July 24, 2019

Dear Community Advocates, Residents, and Stakeholders,

Thank you for participating in our community dialogue on Powder House Boulevard. Earlier this week, my staff announced a plan to install temporary pavement markings on the Boulevard. Let me be clear; this is temporary.

Many residents and stakeholders have contacted me to advocate that the City immediately convert on-street parking spaces to a better bike facility. While that type of policy change is still on the table, our community process has not yet reached its conclusion. We need you to stay engaged as we review and analyze the options presented during the May 2019 community meeting, and help us reach a final decision for a permanent roadway condition.

In Somerville, our commitment to community process is genuine. In 2017 and 2018, the community process for Powder House Boulevard focused on reducing illegal speeding. City staff prepared a plan that included a traditional bike lane as part of a traffic calming strategy that would be implemented when utility work was completed. After the tragic crash in February 2019, I directed my staff to take a step back and invite new stakeholders and new ideas into the conversation. Bicycle activists and advocates asked us to take a close look at a plan we developed to incorporate two-way protected bike lanes on the street. Activists and advocates have door-knocked, collected data, drawn up alternative plans, flyered, and emailed. This is the type of engagement that we strive for. Advocates also participated in our first community meeting that focused on bike infrastructure on Powder House Boulevard, in May of this year. You can see the results of community surveys stemming from that May meeting at www.somervillema.gov/powderhouseboulevard. These will be among the many important tools we use in coming to a final determination for the Boulevard.

Some residents and stakeholders have also suggested that the City leave the Boulevard in its 2017 configuration, with two curbside parking lanes, two 13-foot highway-style travel lanes, and no dedicated space for people on bikes. We have taken this option off the table. Our new radar feedback signs show us all how frequently illegal speeding occurs in the absence of pavement markings.

I want to also be clear that, regardless of this temporary solution, the time needed for proper planning and implementation of the permanent design would preclude completion of that design in the 2019 construction season. We’ve committed to engaging directly with the most impacted institutional stakeholders in the neighborhood to understand what we can do, and to ensuring that any dedicated bike facility that we implement is done in concert with a parking strategy. We’ve committed to engineer a design on every block so that it is safe and effective. To hastily plan and implement any permanent infrastructure here, or on any of our major roadways, would do a disservice to users of the roads, to residents, and to our commitment to proper planning and analysis.

However, to ignore the immediate need for narrow travel lanes, and a dedicated travel lane for cyclists in this area would also be irresponsible. To that end, the temporary striping plan is intended to improve safety on the street for all road users while we advance the technical engineering process for the 2020 permanent restriping plan. My staff will be using low-durability paint products for all temporary striping except crosswalk bars and stop bars, which will be applied in high-visibility, high-durability thermoplastic.

Furthermore, I have directed staff to examine opportunities for short-term pilot projects to demonstrate the anticipated benefits of Boulevard alternatives including parking-protected bike lanes. I have also directed staff to implement low-cost safety upgrades to Powder House Rotary in the fall of 2019. Powder House Boulevard is a part of a network, and my objective is to systematically make all elements of that network safer for every road user, no matter your age, ability, or mode of travel.

As an administration, we will not shy away from our Vision Zero commitment to eliminate crashes that result in severe injury or loss of life. But the Vision Zero philosophy includes a commitment to meaningful community engagement. Disengagement is our worst enemy, because dozens of street redesign projects are in the queue. I ask you to continue to advocate, but to empathize with your neighbors who may view the world differently. My staff and I will continue to work, and to listen, on Powder House Boulevard and on every other project in our great city.

Sincerely,

Mayor Joe Curtatone

An Update on Powder House Boulevard – July 2019

Please join us Wednesday, July 31st, 2019 at 6:30 pm at West Somerville Community School, if you have further questions about the construction and the short‐term line painting strategy.

With utility and sidewalk reconstruction on Powder House Boulevard reaching completion this summer, the City wishes to update our residents and stakeholders on the next steps in the community process. Since our community planning dialogue began, neighbors and community members have consistently identified pedestrian safety as our primary objective. To that end, the City implemented a number of traffic calming and pedestrian safety measures around the West Somerville Neighborhood School and at the North Street intersection intended to reduce illegal speeding.

There has also been stakeholder interest in providing safer bike facilities on Powder House Boulevard. However, given the limited width of the Boulevard (40 feet), providing dedicated and protected bike lanes in both directions would only permit us to maintain parking on one side of the street.

There have been a number of meetings on the topic of traffic safety on Powder House Blvd., not just in the last few months but as far back as May of 2017. At that first meeting, the City presented options for restriping the Boulevard upon completion of roadway reconstruction and focused on an option with a bike lane in one direction and no change to on‐ street parking – a proposal which, in recent meetings, has been referred to as “Option B”.

In recent months, as the conversation around traffic safety on the Boulevard continued, community members asked that the City revisit the chosen plan in favor of safer bike facilities. Diverse stakeholders have shown significant interest, raising a number of concerns and asking important questions throughout this process. It is clear that there are issues that need to be addressed as we develop the best long‐term solution for Powder House Boulevard and the entire neighborhood.

When we last met in May 2019, we solicited community feedback on four potential options for lane striping. More than 150 community members participated in that meeting, whether in person or via written communication. The options can be reviewed at this link.

The results of surveys conducted during this meeting as well as supplemental online surveys suggested that there were many differing and strong opinions on these options, and many questions that require further study. At a minimum, residents and stakeholders asked for further review of alternative designs, impacts and mitigation measures. While City staff and external consultants have begun study and conversation about the alternatives, the analysis will require additional time and will benefit from analysis during the school year.

However, while this process has been underway, reconstruction of the Boulevard has neared completion. Paving was completed in early July and the street now has no pavement markings at all. While we need to allow proper time for the new pavement to cool and set before painting new crosswalks, lane markings, and any additional bicycle and safety markings, we should paint the street as soon as possible. Although there are still a number of outstanding questions regarding the street design, City staff have to make a decision on how to paint the street on a temporary basis and implement that strategy immediately for the safety of all road users.

Therefore, we will implement a three‐part strategy to address the immediate concern:

Temporarily paint “Option B” on the street using low‐durability materials. This will provide a bike lane in one direction along the street and maintain existing parking. We will use paint for lane lines instead of high‐durability thermoplastic markings, which means that the paint will wear off over the next 12 months as we continue to work with the community for a permanent solution. Crosswalks will be high‐visibility, durable thermoplastic. At the same time, the city will implement the four‐way stop at Curtis Street and add permanent speed humps by the school. Monitor and measure. Over the next 12 months, we may change paint markings to test protected bike facilities without removing parking. We will also collect data and review the impact of alternatives. Keep working with the community. Because we are using paint instead of thermoplastic markings to do these lines, it will wear off over the next 12 months, allowing us to implement a longer‐term markings plan by the summer of 2020.

What next?

Despite the need to put paint down as soon as possible, City staff feel strongly that the community dialogue regarding the safest long‐term solution for Powder House Boulevard must continue. Stakeholders have an interest in building the best and safest street possible for all users. We’ve been asked to answer some very good questions about these alternatives, and we want to come back to the community with answers to these questions.

To continue our discussion with the community, we will be meeting:

FIRST: Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at 6:30pm at West Somerville Community School, to provide a construction update, answer questions about this short‐term strategy and the completion of traffic calming measures this summer.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at 6:30pm at West Somerville Community School, to provide a construction update, answer questions about this short‐term strategy and the completion of traffic calming measures this summer. ADDITIONALLY: We will continue discussing a long‐term painting plan. Our next scheduled meeting on this topic will be this fall after we’ve collected more information and measured the effectiveness of traffic calming measures and the temporary paint.

Additional Questions:

Is this the final decision regarding street design on the Boulevard?

No. The City will continue the process of finding the best long‐term street design solution, but an interim decision had to be made given that the street was repaved in early July and needs paint in the very near future for safety reasons.

Will we discuss the long‐term bike lanes on July 31st?

No. On the 31st, the City will give a short presentation with construction updates, parking study results, and an explanation of next steps in implementing the traffic safety plan. Staff will answer questions regarding the interim solution and rationale behind the decision.

Will the temporary single bike lane be on the same side of the street for the full length?

No. The bike lane will be on the westbound side of the street from Powder House Circle to about halfway between Packard Ave. and Curtis St., and on the eastbound side of the street from North St. to about halfway between Packard Ave. and Curtis St.

Could we have a pilot that tests a protected bike lane before making a final decision

Yes. The City is considering a short‐term (one day or one week) experiment using cones to study the effect of protected bike lanes on the Boulevard and surrounding streets. The City may also try shifting the paint to move the bike lane on the other side of parking on one side of the street. This is to test alternatives. These experiments will not have long‐term parking impacts, and will permit us to have further discussion about these options.

Why would the City even consider converting a parking lane into a protected bike lane?

Since Somerville residents worked together to build the original Community Path in the early 1990’s, our community has recognized the importance of providing bicycle routes that are separated from motor vehicle traffic. Somerville has a number of long‐term community goals that involve more people getting around by bicycle, which reduces pollution and congestion and promotes a healthier lifestyle. To encourage more people to get around by bike, the City must first provide bike lanes that the majority of people would feel safe riding in. On some streets, that goal requires converting the space used for on‐street parking into bicycle lanes.

Why do we need narrower lanes for cars on the Boulevard?

Extensive research has shown that vehicle speed decreases as lane width decreases. Narrowing lane widths for motor vehicles is one of the quickest and most affordable ways that a community can reduce illegal speeding.

Is the City considering removing all of the parking on Powder House Blvd.?

No, there are no options where parking is removed on both sides of the Boulevard

Is the 4‐way stop pilot at Curtis St still happening?

Yes, the City will test the safety benefits of temporarily converting the traffic signal at Curtis Street to a 4‐way stop sign, similar to the Packard Avenue intersection. Given the timing of the sidewalk reconstruction, repaving, and restriping on Powder House, the decision was made to wait until construction was complete to start the pilot. This is now estimated to begin in early August.

What happened to the rubber speed tables and flex posts outside the school?

The rubber speed tables and flex posts were removed to allow for the street to be repaved. Given that the rubber speed tables were a success but are seasonal in nature (they have to be removed for winter snow plowing), the City has instructed its contractor to install permanent asphalt speed humps in their place. These are expected to be constructed in the next 2‐3 weeks. Flex posts will also be reinstalled upon completion of final striping.

Does the City still intend to install a different on‐demand, red pedestrian signal at the entrance to the school?

Yes, the City still intends to install a hybrid pedestrian signal (also known as a HAWK signal) at Hardan Road to provide a safer pedestrian crossing. This type of signal flashes red when activated by a pedestrian, and motor vehicles are required to stop. However, this depends on the success of the 4‐way stop pilot at Curtis Street – the HAWK signal cannot be installed so close to a traditional traffic signal.

Will the City continue to work on the intersection of Powder House Boulevard and Route 16?

City staff are submitting a grant proposal to the State for design and construction funds to make this intersection work better for all users.

Where will residents park if parking is removed on one side of the street?

This item will be studied between now and the fall 2019 meeting and will be discussed at that time.

Does the City have a parking plan for the funeral home, the church, the daycare, the gallery, and the school?

City staff will continue to meet with these stakeholders and will share more at the fall 2019 meeting.

Can the City force Tufts students and/or employees to park on campus?

This item will be studied between now and the fall 2019 meeting, and will be discussed at that time.

Can the City work with Tufts to allow residents to park on campus?

This item will be studied between now and the fall 2019 meeting and will be discussed at that time.

Is it possible to put the bike lane on the sidewalk?

This item will be studied between now and the fall 2019 meeting and will be discussed at that time.

Is it possible to put convert the grassy planting strip between the sidewalk and the street into a bike lane?

This item will be studied between now and the fall 2019 meeting and will be discussed at that time.

What will the City be doing between now and the fall meeting?

City staff will be meeting with stakeholders, measuring the effects of the temporary design strategies, and reviewing the alternative design strategies listed above.

Please join us Wednesday, July 31st, 2019 at 6pm at West Somerville Community School, if you have further questions about the construction and the short‐term line painting strategy.