whna | Entries tagged with transportation

Via GLX announcements email:

Notice of Green Line Extension (GLX) Project Public Meeting

Please join the GLX project team for a general project update. This presentation will feature a visual tour of the project showing the latest progress on construction activities.

The meeting will be held via a Zoom webinar.

When: Dec 9, 2020 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Topic: GLX Public Meeting - General Project Update

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EOA6uxlbRzKUYEVWoSHouQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

For more information on GLX visit www.mass.gov/glx

mem_winterhill

Via STEP: https://www.somervillestep.org/online-public-green-line-meeting/

Wednesday, June 24, 5:30-7 pm
Register here

GLX project officials will make information available on:
* Project Overview and Benefits
* Construction Update and Look-Ahead
* Work Forecast, Locations, and Hours of Operation

mem_winterhill

There's a nice piece here about the potential pedestrian and bike trails that would include parts of Somerville and beyond.

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2020/06/10/trail-advocates-plot-new-routes-to-link-e-somerville-to-charles-river/

snippet:

The trail feasibility study analyzes two critical links that would connect to the under-construction Community Path Extension, which will eventually run from Davis Square to Lechmere: one connection would run northward, linking the new Community Path to the Mystic River Greenways network near Assembly Square; the second connection would zig-zag southwest into Cambridge, and connect to the proposed Grand Junction path (which is funded and is currently being designed for construction).

Trail feasability study [PDF]: http://pathfriends.org/scp/FinalStudy/CPX_Connection_Study_200601_Report-small.pdf

mem_winterhill

Via the "Foss Park Friends" mailing list:

Hi Everyone

You are invited to participate in a Community Meeting (via ZOOM) reporting on research done by the CAFEH research team on how traffic related air pollution and noise affects the health and wellbeing of Somerville residents.

to register go here
https://tufts.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YHwhMwWoTUG5w56zK83vvg

Jun 1, 2020 05:00 to 6:00 PM

--
Benjamin Echevarria Jr.
Executive Director
The Welcome Project

++++++++++++++

You are invited to participate in a Community Meeting (via ZOOM)

reporting on research done by the CAFEH research team on how traffic

related air pollution and noise affects the health and wellbeing of

Somerville residents.

At the meeting we will cover what we have learned about the

impact of traffic related air pollution on health, the results of

noise testing along I-93 and how noise pollution affects our health.

And, We will present the results of recent air pollution monitoring

during the Covid pandemic when traffic has been very reduced in

comparison to the more typical heavy traffic traveling through

Somerville.

mem_winterhill

Via the "Sustainaville" monthly newsletter from the city:

It has been just over one year since Somerville Climate Forward was released and departments across the City have been hard at work implementing the priority actions identified in Somerville's community climate action plan. We are thrilled to report progress in each of the thirteen priority action areas of the plan. The new progress report summarizes work completed over the past year and provides a preview of what is underway for 2020. We are committed to completing annual reports of our progress towards our ambitious climate goals.
Some highlights from the past year include:

Over $500,000 of the Fiscal Year 2020 budget was dedicated to implementing Climate Forward priorities.
The Office of Sustainability and Environment added a new Energy Manager position, growing the office to 4 full-time staff.
The City's Engineering Department developed a detailed stormwater model of the city and used it to understand what parts of the city are likely to flood during storms today and with the changing climate in the future.
The 2020 Somerville Community Choice Electricity program doubles the additional amount of renewable electricity in the standard option from 5% to 10% above the state requirement.
Somerville’s first bi-directional bus lanes were installed on Broadway and over 4 miles of bike facilities were installed throughout the city.

You can download and read the full report at somervillema.gov/climateforward.

mem_winterhill

Via the SomPedTransit mailing list, I was alerted to the floating [ahem] of a proposal to replace the pedestrian/cyclist bridge across the Mystic with a gondola. No, seriously, stop laughing. It was in the Globe.

Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/02/07/business/everett-officials-envision-aerial-gondolas-city-hall-casino-assembly-station/

Reply: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/02/07/metro/walkers-cyclists-worry-that-an-everett-gondola-would-cost-them-crucial-connection/

Non-Globe piece that doesn't require subscription: https://patch.com/massachusetts/somerville/environmental-advocates-push-back-against-encore-gondola-proposal

This is, of course, insane. Low volume, subject to breaking, in a windy area... I rarely state my own opinion on these things here, trying to be a bit neutral. But this is a hard NO from me if it replaces the bridge.

That said, we joked about how this might actually work up Winter Hill if we can't get a north-south bus route. But no, this is just kidding.

Examples:

I was about to have kittens about the gondola, and then I was remembering a trip to Pittsburgh where they have this fun tram up a nearby hill that takes you to this kind of sweet view and there's an ice cream place up there...it doesn't suck.

https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/directory/duquesne-incline/

I definitely don't want a gondola system to come at the cost of a bike/ped bridge. That said I had seen a City Beautiful YouTube video about gondola systems recently and I've been day dreaming about a line running from the casino through Assembly to Ten Hills, the tops of Winter and Spring Hills and onward to Harvard via Conway Park.

Maybe I just hate climbing hills.

I prefer the TransitTrebuchet.

Plus a footbridge, of course.

Pushback from Mystic River Watershed folks: https://mysticriver.org/news/2020/2/10/mystic-river-watershed-association-calls-on-state-and-encore-to-partner-on-mystic-river-pedestrian-and-bicycle-bridge

Anyway: I draw your attention to the Draw Seven park upcoming meeting where influencing the decision on the bridge might be worthwhile.
https://whna.dreamwidth.org/53669.html

Edit to add: the last meeting I recall on the Pedestrian bridge is here: https://whna.dreamwidth.org/16420.html You can download the slides that make the state's own case for the bridge form.

mem_winterhill

Join staff from the City of Somerville’s Mobility Division, City Councilors Jesse Clingan, Ben Ewen-Campen, and Matt McLaughlin, city Staff and Gilman Square Neighborhood Association (GSNA) for a community meeting about the future of Gilman Square, on Wednesday, February 12. Staff will present conceptual designs for intersection and road improvements that will support multi-modal transportation and future development in Gilman Square, and receive feedback from community members about the design.

The meeting will be held at the Winter Hill Community School, 115 Sycamore St., on Wednesday, February 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Interpretation in Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Spanish will be available upon request by contacting Nancy Bacci at NBacci@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2250.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s Director of Human Services, Nancy Bacci, at 617-625-6600 x2250 or NBacci@somervillema.gov.

EDIT POST-MEETING: Thread of tweets and impressions from the first part of the meeting. https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1227747560233881600.html

mem_winterhill

Via the Somerville Pedestrian Transportation mailing list:

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION – HIGHWAY DIVISION

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING Project File No. 608562

A Public Information Meeting will be held by MassDOT to discuss the planning study for the proposed Intersection Improvements at McGrath Highway (Route 28) / Mystic Avenue (Route 38) project in Somerville, MA.

WHERE: East Somerville Community School Auditorium, 50 Cross Street, Somerville, MA 02145

WHEN: Wednesday, February 12 th @ 6:00PM

PURPOSE: The purpose of this hearing is to provide the public with the opportunity to become acquainted with the proposed recommendations from the Route 28/Route 38 Planning Study. All views and comments made at the hearing will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible.

PROPOSAL: The proposed project consists of intersection improvements to improve safety for all users and to provide more efficient traffic operations in the immediate area of the intersection of McGrath Highway (Route 28) / Mystic Avenue (Route 38). This project will address the safety and operational deficiencies faced by all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. The work will include new traffic signals; improved pedestrian accessibility and connections; improved transit accessibility; and updated signs and pavement markings.

Written statements and other exhibits in place of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the Public Meeting regarding the proposed undertaking are to be submitted to Patricia A. Leavenworth, P.E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Roadway Project Management, Project File No. 608782. Such submissions will also be accepted at the hearing. Mailed statements and exhibits intended for inclusion in the public hearing transcript must be postmarked no later than ten (10) business days after this public hearing. Project inquiries may be emailed to dot.feedback.highway@state.ma.us

This location is accessible to people with disabilities. MassDOT provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (including but not limited to interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, open or closed captioning for videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats, such as audio tapes, Braille and large print), as available. For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer by phone (857-368-8580), fax (857-368-0602), TTD/TTY (857-368-0603) or by email ( MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us ). Requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the meeting, and for more difficult to arrange services including sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least ten (10) business days before the meeting.

In the event of inclement weather, public hearing cancellation announcements will be posted on the internet at http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/

JONATHAN GULLIVER PATRICIA A. LEAVENWORTH, P.E.

HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR CHIEF ENGINEER

EDIT POST-MEETING: I couldn't go, see Laura's tweets here. https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1227733838169804800.html

Media story on this: https://mass.streetsblog.org/2020/02/13/plans-for-somervilles-worst-intersection-make-little-effort-to-tame-violent-driving/

mem_winterhill

Via Somerville Journal: https://twitter.com/VilleJournal/status/1222540802301272064

Council President @MattForWard1 wrote in about how the debate over bike lanes represents a cultural divide that mirrors national politics. #somerville #bikelanes #identitypolitics

Article: https://somerville.wickedlocal.com/news/20200129/mclaughlin-bike-lanes-and-identity-politics-in-somerville

mem_winterhill

Watch on YouTube

mem_winterhill

Here's a summary from Streetsblog. A key piece of this that didn't come out of the meeting at city hall was the part about the MBTA wanting to potentially work with the city on new strategies due to the city's willingness to make changes.

Early Data Show Less Traffic, More Bus Riders On Broadway In Somerville

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2019/12/10/early-data-shows-less-traffic-more-bus-riders-on-somervilles-new-bus-lanes/

A copy of Brad Rawson's slides is available here: https://www.slideshare.net/mem_somerville/2019-12-09-winter-hill-in-motion-public-hearing

mem_winterhill

Posting the newsletter here this month. I keep forgetting to do that.

Hello again neighbors--

I just took a walk on this lovely fall day, needed some last-minute-ish things from Neighborhood Produce. On my way, I had to get to the bank. Walking down Broadway, I saw a terrific sight: they are actively working on the ramp for the crosswalk between Thurston and Fenwick! Photo attached.

Also spotted: a brand new Free Little Library on Broadway, up near the Main St. crossing--392 Broadway, right at the Blue Bikes. Also attached.

And: the pedestrian lights at School Street are now automated--you don't have to push the button anymore. We will get pedestrian crossing by default.

Change happens. Walking around here has become more pleasant, I think. Have a walk and check it out.

On to regular items:

1. Winter Hill Neighborhood Association Meeting. We have decided this next one is a hybrid: part annual review and discussion of priorities for next year, part social. Ian and Candace have offered to host us again. We will have potluck. Bring over that bag of chips you didn't open at the holiday. Maybe that 6-pack that Uncle Jebediah gifted. We'll eat and chat.

Regular Winter Hill Neighborhood Association meeting

Join us Wednesday

December 4 2019, 7pm

54 Dartmouth St. #2.

2. Key meeting coming up. Public Hearing on Broadway Bus/Bicycle Lanes | Dec 9, 6pm City Hall https://whna.dreamwidth.org/49064.html

Traffic and Parking Committee Committee of the Whole Public Hearing on Bus/Bicycle Lanes

Monday, 12/9/2019 6:00 PM, City Council Chamber, City Hall-93 Highland Avenue

The agenda will appear here: http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=3043

3. Note: the January first Wednesday is the holiday, so we probably won't meet on that day. Stay tuned for another meeting date. We might try to have it on another night so people who can't always make Wednesdays can come. We are open to suggestion on that.

See you out there! Come for the next meeting and chat with us. Have a nice Thanksgiving.

Here's my tweet with the images from the newsletter: https://twitter.com/mem_somerville/status/1199393571226423296

mem_winterhill

Pasted from email by Stephanie Hirsch to SomPedTransitAdvocacy mailing list.

Hello to neighbors of Broadway in Winter Hill, and residents who have reached out about the Winter Hill in Motion project -

Please save the date for a Public Hearing where we will solicit feedback on the design and implementation of the new configuration of Broadway, with dedicated bus and bicycle lanes.

Traffic and Parking Committee Committee of the Whole Public Hearing on Bus/Bicycle Lanes

Monday, 12/9/2019 6:00 PM, City Council Chamber, City Hall-93 Highland Avenue

The agenda will appear here: http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=3043

We have heard a great deal from constituents on all sides of this issue (e.g. neighbors, pedestrians, drivers, bicyclists, transit riders, delivery drivers, and more), and hope to learn how we can advocate for ways to improve the planning and implementation process and the design itself.

Councilors Niedergang, Clingan, and I have been compiling feedback we've heard, and can share that out before the meeting. It's my hope that we can find solutions that make the situation more manageable for all, while not giving up on the goals of vision zero.

We look forward to hearing people's ideas.

mem_winterhill

Via GLX email:

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

6:30 to 8:00 PM

East Somerville Community School Cafeteria

50 Cross Street

Somerville, MA 02145

- Parking is limited ... Consider taking the MBTA #80 or #90 bus to Cross St. @ Pearl St.

Update: I hear from another mailing list that there's also a bake sale. Bring some cash to support them:

NOTE: Bake Sale! The Somerville Community School PTA is hosting a bake sale at the meeting, with sweet and savory items and soft drinks. They take cash, credit and Venmo. They'll also be selling their Somerville "Everyone is Welcome Here" t-shirts and water bottles, at a slightly lower price than they are online:

mem_winterhill

Via

From: Mark Chase
Date: Tue, Oct 29, 2019 at 10:31 AM
Subject: [SomPedTransit] This Sunday, Nov 3, 4-6 PM: Come help support affordable and healthy transportation alternatives in Somerville!
To: SomPedTransitAdvocacyCoalition

Hi Friends!

A group of us from Somerville Bicycle Safety, the Somerville Bicycle Committee, and the walking/ transit/ biking community are planning to celebrate the new streetscapes on Beacon Street and Broadway Winter Hill on Sunday November 3rd between 4 and 6 PM. We hope you can either come to the start at Whole Foods on Beacon St, go for a short ride with us along Beacon St and then making our way to Broadway, or party with us and the Second Line Brass Band outside of Winter Hill Brewery/ Broadway. Or do all three! Also, please share this email with your lists. Here are the details:

Beacon St celebration- 4:00 PM Whole Foods Beacon Street: Hooray for the completion of Beacon Street! We’ll gather at Whole Foods and share reflections on the end of a long project and aspirations for a better, safer more accessible Somerville.

The Ride- 4:30 PM Whole Foods Beacon St: We’ll enjoy a short bike ride from Whole Foods/ to Winter Hill Brewery/ Broadway highlighting new bicycle infrastructure in the City.

Broadway celebration- 5:15- 6:00 PM Winter Hill Brewery: Dance and or tap your foot to Somerville’s own Second Line Brass Band. After the music, many of us will raise drinks to toast an amazing year and look forward to even more improvements in (gasp) 2020!

Feel free to bring signs stating your support of these progressive projects. In event of rain, information on whether the event will be on or not can be found at http://www.somervillebikes.org/eventsrides.html. Right now the weather looks good. FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/965382193798897/

mem_winterhill

Via the city website: https://www.somervillema.gov/news/somerville-host-community-meeting-discussion-road-safety-following-recent-pedestrian-crashes

City, MassDOT staff to meet with community members about planned safety improvements, receive feedback on future planning.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the City’s Mobility Division announce that a community meeting has been scheduled to discuss two fatal crashes along State Route 38 (Mystic Avenue) in Somerville and efforts underway to improve safety for all road users. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 1, in the auditorium of the East Somerville Community School at 50 Cross Street beginning at 7 p.m.

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) officials have been working in partnership with City officials on planning and engineering for the complex series of intersections and highway ramps where Interstate 93, Route 38 and Route 28 (McGrath Highway / Fellsway) all meet. MassDOT staff will also be in attendance at the meeting.

mem_winterhill

Some of you may be aware of the issues around the particulate pollution that we are exposed to, thanks to the traffic that goes through Somerville each day. I participated in the Tufts study a while back, and am glad to see that this knowledge is getting around.

WGBH has a 3 part series on this.

1. Car Pollution In Boston Area Neighborhoods Poses Health Risk To Residents, New Research Finds https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2019/09/22/car-pollution-in-boston-neighborhoods-poses-health-risk-to-residents-new-research-finds

2. Dangerous Air Pollution Is Getting Into Schools And Homes Near Highways, Research Shows https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2019/09/23/dangerous-air-pollution-is-getting-into-schools-and-homes-near-highways-research-shows

3.Communities Surrounding Logan Airport Exposed To Harmful Air Pollution, Research Finds https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2019/09/24/air-pollution-from-logan-airport-harms-surrounding-communities-research-shows

mem_winterhill

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/somerville-2019-candidate-climate-forum-tickets-73041602399

Hello Somerville! Are you feeling hot under the collar? Are you struggling to keep your head above water? Does climate change have you down?

Please join us at the Climate Coalition of Somerville’s Candidate Climate Forum and hear how the candidates plan to prepare for climate change. Moderated by Julia Taliesin of the Somerville Journal, community representatives will have a freewheeling conversation with the candidates about the challenges the city faces and the opportunities for the city to respond. All city council and mayoral candidates have been invited.

Saturday, October 5th, 11am - 1pm at the VNA Community Room, 259 Lowell St., Somerville. Doors open at 10:45. We will start promptly.

Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole interpretation will be provided.

Please RSVP on Eventbrite so we know how many chairs we need.

mem_winterhill

It seems. After the WHNA meeting last night, we spotted paint on Broadway that appears to be about the size of a dedicated bus lane...

For those not familiar with the plans, here's the city's project page: https://www.somervillema.gov/winterhillmotion

mem_winterhill

Via email:

Winter Hill in Motion Community Meeting

Please join our transportation planning team to learn about Winter Hill in Motion – a project that will include bus lanes, bike lanes, and retimed traffic signals on Central Broadway.

Monday, February 4, 2019

6:30pm - 8:00pm

Healey School Cafeteria, 5 Meacham St

There will be a presentation by city staff on the work to date, followed by a discussion of the proposed plan. We hope to see you there! If you have any questions email apolinski@somervillema.gov

Profile

Winter Hill Neighborhood Association forum

June 2023

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30

Syndicate

Page Summary

mem_winterhill - GLX update meeting | Dec 9 2020, 6:30pm
mem_winterhill - Online public Green Line meeting #GLX | June 24 5:30pm
mem_winterhill - Trail Advocates Plot New Routes to Link East Somerville to Charles River
mem_winterhill - Community meeting on Traffic Pollution in Somerville | Jun 1, 2020 05:00 PM
mem_winterhill - Progress on the Somerville Climate Forward plan
mem_winterhill - Gondola? Who asked for a gondola?
mem_winterhill - Gilman Square roadway improvements community meeting | Feb 12 6pm
mem_winterhill - Intersection Improvements at McGrath Highway (Route 28) / Mystic Avenue (Route 38)
mem_winterhill - MCLAUGHLIN: Bike lanes and identity politics in Somerville
mem_winterhill - A Porter Square documentary. Wicked short.
mem_winterhill - Winter Hill in Motion, public meeting discussion
mem_winterhill - Winter Hill Neighborhood Association Newsletter 27. For Dec 2019 | Meeting this month, Wed Dec 4, 7p
mem_winterhill - Save-the-Date: Public Hearing on Broadway Bus/Bicycle Lanes | Dec 9, 6pm City Hall
mem_winterhill - The Green Line Extension (GLX) project will host a public meeting: Nov 19
mem_winterhill - [SomPedTransit] This Sunday, Nov 3, 4-6 PM: Come help support affordable and healthy transportation
mem_winterhill - Somerville to Host Community Meeting, Discussion on Road Safety Following Recent Pedestrian Crashes
mem_winterhill - Particulate pollution in Somerville, WGBH covers it
mem_winterhill - Somerville Candidates Climate Forum 2019 (sponsored by Climate Coalition | Somerville)
mem_winterhill - Winter Hill in Motion is coming....
mem_winterhill - Winter Hill in Motion Meeting, Feb 4, 6:30pm Healey cafeteria

Style Credit

Style: Descending Blue for Crossroads by branchandroot
Resources: Blue Heart

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags

Page generated Jan. 4th, 2026 11:31 am

Winter Hill Neighborhood Association

Unofficial forum of Somerville Winter Hill Neighbors

Entries tagged with transportation

GLX update meeting | Dec 9 2020, 6:30pm

Online public Green Line meeting #GLX | June 24 5:30pm

Trail Advocates Plot New Routes to Link East Somerville to Charles River

Community meeting on Traffic Pollution in Somerville | Jun 1, 2020 05:00 PM

Progress on the Somerville Climate Forward plan

Gondola? Who asked for a gondola?

Gilman Square roadway improvements community meeting | Feb 12 6pm

Intersection Improvements at McGrath Highway (Route 28) / Mystic Avenue (Route 38)

MCLAUGHLIN: Bike lanes and identity politics in Somerville

A Porter Square documentary. Wicked short.

Winter Hill in Motion, public meeting discussion

Winter Hill Neighborhood Association Newsletter 27. For Dec 2019 | Meeting this month, Wed Dec 4, 7p

Save-the-Date: Public Hearing on Broadway Bus/Bicycle Lanes | Dec 9, 6pm City Hall

The Green Line Extension (GLX) project will host a public meeting: Nov 19

[SomPedTransit] This Sunday, Nov 3, 4-6 PM: Come help support affordable and healthy transportation

Somerville to Host Community Meeting, Discussion on Road Safety Following Recent Pedestrian Crashes

Particulate pollution in Somerville, WGBH covers it

Somerville Candidates Climate Forum 2019 (sponsored by Climate Coalition | Somerville)

Winter Hill in Motion is coming....

Winter Hill in Motion Meeting, Feb 4, 6:30pm Healey cafeteria

Profile

June 2023

Syndicate

Most Popular Tags

Page Summary

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags