seeks ideas in reshaping Pond Lane to parkway
 Traffic at the Capitol Theater -- just one issue that planners face.
Agenda for Oct. 23 workshop
7—7:10 Welcome and Introductions, Jack Hurd
7:10—7:20 Project Overview' John Michalak, Christine Scypinski
7:20—8:10 Break into Groups for Discussion (Maps and markers)
8:15—9 Reports by each facilitator
9:00 Closing remarks, Michalak
Suggested topics for discussion (participants are encouraged to write comments on maps):
• Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)
• Where would you like to see crosswalks, bus stops, etc?
• Should there be a designated bike lane?
• Parking opportunities
• Identify left turn issues
• Wider sidewalks
• Street medians
• Signs missing, or too many
• Suggested locations for street furniture
o Trees, planters
o Bike racks
o Benches
o Trash cans needed
• Other comments welcome
Oct. 1 session laid groundwork
The public groundwork for this outreach was laid Oct. 1 at the Senior Center as about 65 people attended, many of them eager to offer ideas that night. First, they heard some history, some background and a pointed caution from Rep. Will Brownsberger.
The state rep for Belmont and part of Arlington said what Arlington wants to do for Mass. Ave. is "basically the same" project underway for Trapelo Road in Belmont. He noted plainly the lengthy launch of the Trapelo Road effort. Begun in 2002, the project to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety finally had its 25-percent designing hearing in July. That design took shape "two or three years ago," he said (see related link >>).
In Arlington's case, town planners would like to see a 25-percent design next year. "I'll be astonished" if that happens, Brownsberger said, added he expect that to happen in 2010.
Kevin O'Brien, Arlington's planning director, called Brownsberger's dose of cold water "exactly right" but made clear that the town is "under a tight deadline." To keep the $4 million funding, Arlington must persuade the Metropolitan Planning Organization that the town is on track to go to bid by the end of fiscal 2010.
Here is the current projected schedule:
- September-November 2008: traffic survey to update six-year-old numbers
- September 2008-January 2009: outreach, design
- March 2009: 25% design
- February 2010: Final design
- Summer/Fall 2010: advertise for construction
On what would Arlington seek construction bids? The changed shape of Mass. Ave. in the East Arlington section under discussion.
What would that shape be? To answer, that's where the public comes in. Ideas are expected to address:
- Improving pedestrian safety and mobility, including considering review of the Linwood Street crosswalk;
- Improving cyclist safety and mobility, including considering a continuous bicycle lane;
- Improving the environment for transit users, including bus shelters;
- Minimizing through traffic on local neighborhood streets,
- Creating more orderly traffic flow, including consideration of specific travel lanes;
- Improving access to local businesses; and
- Enhancing the streetscape.
All of these notions will be among those scrutinized by the project review committee, a group that has been in place for a year, but project funding, spurred by US Rep. Ed Markey, was freed up only in August (see the members of that committee here >>).
The drive to improve Mass. Ave. dates to the late 1990s after two people were struck and killed there, Scott Smith of the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) said. In 2001, the selectmen set up TAC, a group of volunteers who advise the board about a range of transportation-related issues. Changes have included improvements the intersection at Route 16 and better crosswalk striping.
The current plan for changes widens the scope. On hand to discuss the general timeline and issues involved were John Michalak, senior project engineer for Fay, Spofford & Thorndike, and Christine Scypinski, senior landscape architect for the Waterford Design Group.
Among the issues she addressed were those involved when Arlington Heights was redesigned earlier in this decade. Those included whether to use curb bumpouts, planters, altered lighting, benches and bus shelters.
Marc Streitfeld, who was involved in the Heights effort, listed a number of lessons learned. The included consideration of not using bricks at crosswalks, avoiding the kind of lighting used there and having a business directory that is updated.
Asked what his worst experience on projects like this has been, Michalak said coordinating work with various utility companies. Those familiar with the long-running Summer Street project can sympathize.
Whatever the design about the Mass. Ave. project turns out to be, MassHighway will oversee the work.
This summary was first published Oct. 5
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