Watertown Complete Streets Prioritization Plan Public Meeting #1 December 14, 2017
Goals for Public Meeting Overview of MassDOT Complete Streets Funding Program Educate the community on Complete Streets design elements Gather your feedback to help consultant team better understand needed improvements
MassDOT CS Funding Program Tier 1 Adopt Complete Streets Policy Tier 2 Develop Complete Streets Prioritization Plan Tier 3 Request Funding: up to $400,000 available for participating community
CS Prioritization Plan What it is: Potential projects Community input Selection criteria 5-year plan Funding eligibility Starting point What it is not: A firm commitment Set in stone
Complete Streets Funding Eligibility Ineligible roads include: State-owned roads: Main St from Bacon St to the Waltham border Galen St bridge DCR-owned roads: Greenough Boulevard Charles River Road Greenough Boulevard Existing projects already funded: Arsenal Street Mt. Auburn Street
Goals for Public Meeting Overview of MassDOT Complete Streets Funding Program Educate the community on Complete Streets design elements Gather your feedback to help consultant team better understand needed improvements
What is a Complete Street? A Complete Street is safe, comfortable and convenient for travel via foot, bicycle, transit and automobile for anyone regardless of age or ability.
Complete Streets are Safe Streets Traffic calming saves lives
Complete Streets Toolbox MassDOT Eligible Complete Streets Infrastructure: 1. Pedestrian Facilities 2. Bicycle Facilities 3. Traffic + Safety 4. Transit Facilities 1. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon on Orchard Street at Victory Field 2. Bike lane on N. Beacon near Greenough Blvd. 3. Church Street raised table intersection
1. PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES Eligible Projects Include: New sidewalks, widening, and repairs New or improved crosswalks ADA compliant curb ramps Pedestrian refuge islands Curb extensions Wayfinding signs Tactile Warning Strip, Common St at Church St 20% of Americans have a disability that limits their daily activities Pedestrian Refuge Island on Charles River Rd at Main St
Pedestrian Facilities: Low Cost Pavement markings Pedestrian crossing signage In-street pedestrian signage Modifying traffic signal equipment Fayette St at Waverly St, Watertown In-street pedestrian crossing sign on Mt Auburn St, Watertown
Pedestrian Facilities: Long Term Sidewalks Minimum width: 4 feet Recommended width: 5 8 feet on side streets 10 15 feet in business districts Prioritizes pedestrians, not vehicle traffic Raised crossings Marion Rd at Church St, Watertown Main Street, Watertown
Pedestrian Facilities: Crossings Pedestrian push buttons Count-down signals and Lead Pedestrian Interval Curb Extensions Shortens crossing distance & exposure time Improves visibility, especially for children Creates visual pinch points to slow traffic
Pedestrian (and Bike) Facilities: Shared Use Paths Intended for use by pedestrians, bicyclists, other non-motorized users Width: 8-12 paved Greenough Blvd, Watertown Roadway separation: 5 minimum Trails are the most desirable facility along busy roadways
2. BICYCLE FACILITIES Eligible Projects Include: Standard bike lanes Separated bike lanes Neighborhood bikeways Intersection treatment Shared roadways N Main St, Watertown Howard St, Watertown
Bike Facilities: Separated Bike Lanes Sidewalk grade cycle tracks Roadway grade cycle tracks (one way or two way traffic) Arsenal Street, Watertown Mass Ave, Cambridge
Bike Facilities: Neighborhood Bikeways Traffic diverters Traffic calming Branding Signage and sharrows School Street, Watertown
Bike Facilities: Intersection Treatment Bike lane skip striping for guidance Green bike lanes Bicycle signals Bike Boxes Two-stage left-turn queue boxes
Bike Facilities: Shared Roadways Shared lane markings Enhanced shared lane markings Signed routes Shared lane markings on Main St near Lexington St, Watertown Enhanced shared lane markings in Brookline for extra visibility
3. TRAFFIC AND SAFETY Eligible Projects Include: Street lighting Traffic calming Intersection improvements Pedestrian signal timing Signage Raised table on Church St, Watertown Pavement markings for alternative modes 42 curb-to-curb on Dexter Ave, Watertown
4. TRANSIT FACILITIES Eligible Projects Include: Improving transit connections for pedestrians Transit signal prioritization Bus pull-out areas Railroad grade crossings improvements Transit-only or Transit Contra-flow lanes Transit shelters Nearly every transit trip begins as a walking trip
Next Steps The planning team will: Complete existing conditions analysis Develop list of project recommendations Public Information Meeting #2 Date and time will be finalized and posted on Town website before the New Year Evaluate recommended projects Develop prioritization plan report and cost estimates
Goals for Public Meeting Overview of MassDOT Complete Streets Funding Program Educate the community on Complete Streets design elements Gather your feedback to help consultant team better understand needed improvements
Three Sections of Watertown
Break-out Group Prompts: Q 1 Where are the critical gaps in the current sidewalk and bicycle network in your neighborhood, on your commute, or near your work place or school? EXAMPLE PROJECT IDEAS: Raised crosswalk or curb extensions on Warren Street to improve safety near the Cunniff School entrance Calm traffic along Bigelow Ave with additional curb extensions, raised crosswalks and/or bike lanes
Break-out Group Prompts: Q 2 What challenges do you face when walking or biking to and from Watertown Square? EXAMPLE PROJECT IDEAS: Improve the geometry at the Marion Road/Church Street intersection, consider adding curb extensions Install raised crosswalk on Whites Ave at Watertown Linear Park crossing to slow motor vehicle traffic
Break-out Group Prompts: Q 3 What physical improvements would make you more likely to use public transit? EXAMPLE PROJECT IDEAS: Install bus shelters at existing bus stop locations on Arsenal Street Install covered bike parking in additional locations on key bus corridors
Break-out Group Prompts 1. Where are the critical gaps in the current sidewalk and bicycle network in your neighborhood, on your commute, or near your work place or school? 2. What challenges do you face when walking or biking to and from Watertown Square? 3. What physical improvements would make you more likely to use public transit? https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/watertowncs
THANK YOU! http://www.watertowndpw.org/pages/construction/ CompleteStreetsIndex