In response to a request from the Federal Highway Administration, the state Department of Transportation is hosting a second public hearing on the reconstruction of Mass. Ave. in Arlington. The meeting is set for Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall Auditorium.

The purpose of the second public hearing is to highlight changes between the 25 percent plan and what is proposed.

Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine was asked through a spokeswoman whether the hearing had been in the works for a while, or was it called in reaction to the project opponents' request for an investigation. Joan Roman said his response was: "Because Federal Highway requested it."

With its news release, the state provided correspondence between key parties involved in the design of the Corridor project as well as a Jan. 7, 2013, letter from Eric Berger, representing the East Arlington Concerned Citizens Committee. The latter letter says alleged "discrepancies" were uncovered for Freedom of Information Act requests.

See the correspondence here >> (large .PDF)

A MassDOT news release said the reconstruction project is being designed by the town of Arlington and funded by MassDOT.

The hearing is also an opportunity for MassDOT to address concerns raised by the Federal Highway Administration and to solicit any additional public feedback.
The existing configuration does not have defined vehicle travel lanes, has a left-turn lane at only one intersection in the corridor, and does not provide for optimum use by various modes of travel.
As proposed, the Mass. Ave. corridor between Pond Lane and Alewife Brook Parkway will be completely reconstructed. The finished product as proposed will have two travel lanes on the eastbound side of the road, and one travel lane heading westbound.

The corridor will also have one five-foot bicycle lanes on both sides of Mass. Ave. as well as an eight- to 10-foot wide shoulder for on-street parking and bus stops.

Additional travel and turning lanes will be added at major intersections.  The design is in accordance with MassDOT’s Project Development Design Guide and adequately and reasonably accommodates all travel modes in this corridor.

Related links to Mass. Ave. project:

Jan. 28, 2013: Opponents allege collusion | Word on the Street, April 8, 2012: As many as 80 view plans | June 14, 2011: 4-1 selectmen vote pushes avenue project toward 75% goal | April 13, 2011: 345 hear speakers for, against

Globe, Aug. 8, 2010: Eric Berger's cause | E. Arlington Concerned Citizens (Part 2) | Livable Streets Coalition | Town project information

This story was published Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013.