 Plans show lanes for bicycles, fewer for cars, more green space, safer crosswalks
About 50 people came to Town Hall Thursday, Feb. 5, for the third public session aimed at reimagining for the 21st century part of Mass. Ave., the spine of Arlington and its predecessors since Colonial times. The proposal would change the avenue as we know it in significant ways, from Pond Lane to Cambridge. Those addressing the proposed changes had outright objections or pointed questions. These responses outnumbered those who said they favored the plans.
These plans incorporated ideas presented by the public and officials at two previous public sessions -- Oct. 23 and Oct. 1. Planners expect to consider changes suggested Feb. 5 before submitting plans in March to MassHighway. The state agency, which would build the project using state and federal funds, is to have a public hearing in late spring.
Current planning and design work is estimated at $348,000. Construction is estimated at $4.8 million.
"Gridlock," warned Russell Rico, a Mass. Ave. business owner. He said having bike lanes would draw cyclists away from the Minuteman Bikeway. Lake Street would become a "nightmare," he said.
Speaking in the minority was Chad Gibson, 30, an engineer and a Precinct 4 Town Meeting member, who said he drove, walked, bused and biked Mass. Ave. He said the proposal is "better than the wild West we have there now."
In general, here is how the avenue would change under proposals presented by John Michalak, Fay, Spofford & Thorndike, and Christine Scypinski, Waterfield Design:
- CAR LANES: Instead of a variety of unmarked lanes, as is now the case, the number would decrease to one in each direction, except for the East Arlington business district before and after the Capitol Theatre. The business district would have two lanes in each direction. A number of turning lanes at key intersections would be added.
- BIKE LANES: Each would be 5 feet wide, on each side of Mass. Ave.
- BUMPOUTS: Curbs at many intersections with crosswalks would be extended into what is now street, shortening the walk for pedestrians and allowing areas along sidewalks to be widened to be used for placing benches and planting trees.
- MEDIAN STRIPS: They aim to help divide the avenue to produce more orderly traffic flow.
- TRAFFIC SIGNALS: One would be installed at Bates Road, and two would be removed, at Tufts and Teel. MassHighway would decide.
Michalak and Scypinski said the plan aims to improve safety, create a more welcoming streetscape and aid parking efficiency.
Those from the public who addressed the changes had their doubts.
The owner of the Capitol Theatre said he thought those involved are "trying to please too many interests." He added: "If you left it alone, it would be better than what's planned."
He objected to removing of parking spaces and called pedestrian safety a top priority.
A woman who said she had not known about two earlier public meetings about the plan said she was "pretty shocked and disappointed" by the plan. She called the areas that have one lane each way "stressful" and summed up the plan as "protrees" and "antiautomobile."
Selectman Jack Hurd, an East Arlington resident, defended the planners' work and called the current width of Mass. Ave. "an unending opportunity not to slow down."
Glenn Koenig ticked off a list of questions, including what would be done about trucks making deliveries to businesses and blocking lanes. As to the bicycle lanes, he asked, "Have you interviewed actual cyclists in other towns" where there are lanes to see what they think.
Later, Scott Smith, a member of the Transportation Advisory Committee, called the proposed bicycle lanes "more generous than you get in Cambridge."
AThorndike Street resident asked, a question that spurred laughter: "Are you doing traffic-calming or driver-enraging?"
She also asked about the total loss of parking spaces, a question that remained unanswered publicly Feb. 5. The plan would remove a number of spaces at Olivio's.
She got a second laugh after she said, referring to the computerized displays of traffic: "The animations are cool, but nobody in Massachusetts merges so delicately."
Adam Auster presented a lengthy, detailed pitch to retain the traffic light at Teel Street.
Longtime Town Meeting member Elsie Fiore said she basically agreed with all those protesting the plan.
A resident of Winter Street, which is across from the Capitol and would have a dedicated turning lane from Mass. Ave., said she fears increased traffic as drivers will be "escaping to Broadway."
WANT TO COMMENT? Public comment will be accepted until the end of February. Send your thoughts to Laura Wiener at lwiener at town.arlington.ma.us.
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