[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6540541,"mediaKeyId","3402002-cc537e18ccce9cae58c60d99286fdaca","parentId",3402002,"title","Committee approves minutes, records item dispositions; keeps three project items in committee or complete","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",128000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402002-cc537e18ccce9cae58c60d99286fdaca&start=128&end=128","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402002-cc537e18ccce9cae58c60d99286fdaca/thumbnail_128000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6540541/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Committee-approves-minutes-records-item-dispositions-keeps-three-project-items-in-committee-or-complete","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540541-5c3e35c3362f90b7375a7338bd4aa517/orig.mp4?Expires=1775790307&Signature=eA-PuQ8XAuNPFPzqjI00K1p4~DpXahnKWN47lYy4TxmTJoI2xGiSa1ulhf4F4I3uIiwz0LS171iJ0T98y1sGNAmmaIurho-x6YWOh6TyqOC8Ts1QMgsLt22147QRUnBw-O8s3q6wJwSGTlsIY1IXuf4~3IKV45YDBLWQTKtL4RIHK9Q5imPKZYg6WqqmE72ow8Hp2NH5fOJEjk2b2j-8m4r9TI8gJx~qS-ki2lDlWFHwdrHEXmjqvu7Wq5zcbLV29MSXnNNjWfgMeLEcHA-JLAaQ~JhaSqf4eKwrlq3~ftlnecmQNdMOBPlH0bc1yyF3dWIPk8-UXRW6MowJOX5dnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Somerville City, MA","date","2025-05-20T07:37:00Z","article","The Traffic and Parking Committee conducted a roll‑call vote to approve the minutes of the March 24, 2025 meeting (Clerk roll call ID25‑O596) and recorded the subsequent adjournment vote.

During the meeting staff and councilors also recorded item dispositions: the Washington Street handicap parking request (Order 25‑0927) and the Safe Streets Annual Report (Order 25‑2647) were marked complete for this meeting; the request to update the signal at Rogers and Boston (Order 25‑0839) and the request to install a rapid flashing beacon at East Somerville Community School (Order ID 204743) were kept in committee for further analysis and neighborhood outreach.

The clerk called roll for adjournment; the meeting then adjourned. No formal ordinances, resolutions or contract awards were adopted at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Somerville City, MA - Traffic and Parking - 2025-05-19 - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved minutes by roll call, formally marked several items complete and postponed others for further study; no new ordinances or contracts were adopted during the meeting.","taxTitle","Somerville City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",4564,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6540547,"Somerville presents first Safe Streets annual report: 29‑mile priority bike network, 3‑mile per year target and cost estimates",2907,1653000,4560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402002-cc537e18ccce9cae58c60d99286fdaca&start=1653&end=4560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402002-cc537e18ccce9cae58c60d99286fdaca/thumbnail_1653000.jpg","/articles/6540547/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Somerville-presents-first-Safe-Streets-annual-report-29mile-priority-bike-network-3mile-per-year-target-and-cost-estimates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540547-87d92b081c0f1eb44777b65c74c6dd51/orig.mp4?Expires=1775790307&Signature=D1cI~mdRYW6MNkJbBkGW~fl7XmSsRZAFrumGFYWfp8wzyKNj62UVQ61rahcfR3Z9CYGO8eJuelpq2NcMEfZKAniPuald3HVfT9MmjT4S92pVwOzP6eOPbk4pHIDvsBA3A7oUOGTfx0L6OdD2UQv5oCfmYc5Y0bndh-KfZMVy3dGAKR5JZBtSR2AYoNgAGcW-UKljXY3hpnTM~jue~Kxjac3Za27s3biQAq662RuDPv30GfBuEG~C8OCoObx~GcqpudJGRt1Ndf8hBcSQWdwGXRGzOG75BQ6m-egh7JFvf8kcutUXXHubBW4IpC5XQ6cShw9f31a4lekJYqt1HqG~Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors reviewed the City of Somerville’s first annual report required by the Safe Streets Ordinance, a staff presentation that summarized progress on separated bicycle facilities, pedestrian and transit infrastructure, and multi‑year forecasts for completing the city’s priority bike network.

Justin Schreiber, senior transportation planner in the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, presented the report and said the priority network totals just over 29 bicycle centerline miles. The ordinance requires the city to plan for installing no less than three miles from the priority network in a given construction season and to produce a multiyear plan for completing the network by the ordinance deadline (with a possible one‑year extension to March 1, 2029).

Schreiber walked the committee through 2024 production (about three miles constructed during the ordinance year) and the 2025 planned installations (just over three miles), which include projects tied to sewer separation work, developer mitigation, MassDOT projects and mobility quick‑build projects. He summarized near‑term plans for 2026–2027 and grouped 2028–2030 projects where year‑by‑year certainty is lower.

On costs, the report estimated an order‑of‑magnitude per‑mile quick‑build cost of $431,900 that includes staff time, materials, consultant work and an allocation for operations and maintenance. Schreiber and other staff clarified that the per‑mile estimate covers quick‑build facilities only and does not extract the cost contribution of bike facilities embedded in larger capital reconstruction projects.

Directors cautioned about risks: mobility staff said the city has prepared contingency plans (plan A/B/C) because federal grant awards and multi‑year capital contracts can change; staff also cited construction unpredictability and multi‑year state projects as schedule risks. Councilors asked about specific cases, including Western Pearl Street and the L and Beacon Connector; mobility staff said some project concepts still require public engagement and that any changes to project direction would be reflected in future reports and would require updating the priority network to preserve the overall mileage goal.

Councilors and staff discussed neighborways (traffic‑calmed streets intended for biking), how those are publicized and how they compare with protected bike lanes. Staff said neighborways are part of the broader network; some neighborways can be constructed with permanent materials and be part of longer‑term work. Staff also noted that Mobility and related departments ran more than 100 outreach events the prior year.

The committee received the report, asked follow‑up questions and then marked the Safe Streets item complete for this meeting; staff will continue public engagement, track project status on the interactive Vision Zero/Safe Streets map and return with updates in future annual reports.","City staff presented the first Safe Streets Ordinance annual report, summarizing past progress, a 29‑mile priority network, a 3‑mile per‑year installation target, quick‑build vs. permanent approaches, an estimated $431,900 per quick‑build mile cost, and funding and schedule risks tied to federal grants and capital contracts.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6540551,"Councilors ask mobility staff to study rapid‑flashing beacon at East Somerville Community School; item kept in committee",234,1508000,1742000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402002-cc537e18ccce9cae58c60d99286fdaca&start=1508&end=1742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402002-cc537e18ccce9cae58c60d99286fdaca/thumbnail_1508000.jpg","/articles/6540551/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Councilors-ask-mobility-staff-to-study-rapidflashing-beacon-at-East-Somerville-Community-School-item-kept-in-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540551-40c167e0fea3f5e2423da417ab75e897/orig.mp4?Expires=1775790307&Signature=UfgR9SjLi0QBDPpwbBtR5RrnQHjrPXK8B7zM~1SsqE6B5xGAuR3VBvBkfw3xXgQcP4sjAl0S73tnT1fxIqDcqRlIMNuVjXAPYLoIbJNEGiKZM-COG6HT95fe~Ne0KtCFkPtCvq6ELkQg-uQzWGcnqm8lW1Q4KaNspL6-S0szDiHDXhK-xmMBNcasV2Yp8rXxiVvNMA~D1HPyXei9JxxpxN~lmrvPvcDRQ1UKYv8UU3kieAm1wHyT3jw3JTzJcqE~BHheVeJZbirlg-C4cM61adO0BjECWj5wyt65UrOdr7HPF6zgDOmFMS7yFRhWrT1ibdzchzKC9ICEprfec0qpdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors considered an order asking the director of mobility to install a rapid‑flashing beacon with a push‑button stop sign on the side street adjacent to East Somerville Community School to aid student crossings.

Mobility staff noted existing traffic calming on the street — raised crossings and speed humps — and said those treatments can be compatible with flashing beacons but that a “substantial mobility engineering and parking department review” is required before recommending installation. Senior staff said they would need to confirm whether the site meets engineering criteria for a beacon and coordinate with other city departments.

The committee agreed to keep the item in committee for staff follow‑up with the ward councilor and to return with recommendations in a future meeting.","Staff said the proposed rapid‑flashing beacon and push‑button stop sign at East Somerville Community School requires substantial engineering review and coordination; the committee kept the item in committee for follow‑up with the ward councilor.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6540555,"Somerville engineers say Ball Square signal likely needs controller upgrade; full prioritization and costs still pending",461,307000,768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402002-cc537e18ccce9cae58c60d99286fdaca&start=307&end=768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402002-cc537e18ccce9cae58c60d99286fdaca/thumbnail_307000.jpg","/articles/6540555/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Somerville-engineers-say-Ball-Square-signal-likely-needs-controller-upgrade-full-prioritization-and-costs-still-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540555-3975098524e7477df29618a2a6047f87/orig.mp4?Expires=1775790307&Signature=EA2XL3NPT60Zz5TIk17Nt21f2BcDjI4cAzFrzyer-D9j3PeccIOuLbS800oD74aDmpxrgLXvcb0TUWB64br9GaWe31-FqZ6WpY4mrCV5nnumaVg52x8U8Ap7MAYqxkHJoByGw130dPgV6~fDddvzkkg9sRmwLxN7g5EuCcFjiC6s3~REl9vKewhDEaMkKVcakXOoHEBXR5MuHTz7YTlnIsdQ5i9D9svZghBwRJS3~12Mk3jOL3IqWImbBjbhqJg7HldNfACVpSmRhOyOz9oRd918k8Koh8W~js-2SihksioOrrxX9HpfTkz2GHFMh2Wi4wR43BS~vYl0IlyykyZjHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors and city staff discussed recurring crashes and limited pedestrian facilities at the intersection of Rogers Avenue and Boston Avenue near the Ball Square T station and asked whether the traffic signal equipment could be upgraded.

Brad Rawson, director of mobility, said older traffic signals often have undersized controllers — “a controller is like a computer motherboard” — that lack the circuits needed to run modern phasing such as leading pedestrian intervals, transit signal priority or split phases. Rawson said the city’s asset management work will identify priority locations and allow staff to develop designs and budgets.

Brian Polstewaite, director of engineering, said the city is conducting a comprehensive inventory of signal equipment and prioritizing upgrades, with an initial focus on meeting ADA requirements. He gave an order‑of‑magnitude construction estimate for signal reconstruction: “signal reconstruction costs can range anywhere from 50 to a hundred thousand dollars,” and stressed that some reconstructions can be substantially more complex and expensive.

Councilors urged staff to consider the intersection’s proximity to the Ball Square T station and the absence of a pedestrian signal at one crosswalk when setting priority. Staff indicated more detailed analysis will require review by the senior traffic engineer and that estimates, designs and a prioritized list would be prepared for future committee meetings. The committee agreed to keep the item in committee for further study and neighborhood outreach, rather than closing it at this meeting.","Mobility and engineering directors told the Traffic and Parking Committee that the signal at Rogers Avenue and Boston Avenue near Ball Square is operating on legacy hardware that limits modern features; reconstruction estimates run tens of thousands of dollars and the city will prioritize upgrades through an asset management process.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6540560,"Somerville staff: residents may request accessible parking spots at Washington Street near Cobble Hill Senior Center",311,152000,463000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402002-cc537e18ccce9cae58c60d99286fdaca&start=152&end=463","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402002-cc537e18ccce9cae58c60d99286fdaca/thumbnail_152000.jpg","/articles/6540560/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Somerville-staff-residents-may-request-accessible-parking-spots-at-Washington-Street-near-Cobble-Hill-Senior-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540560-63364125735006f7e74598bdfda9c1cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775790307&Signature=jrJA8HOVK5Scd1W9OB7jylzRph3yaZQCdHCvzNHj00jwNnowLBOQgOwJcZpfbdqx69BBlq1kXqgEuMGS3x-8PEltzB63jjbRlaoHryAOW8scxnwi~Q3Y7YRokRrLkatg5~5cwd-hpo5R~x5Pi~ZtcSkneqrVvhJh0orin~2cd2fiIlmoWiRNxRcCscC4ifKHxbLqcZJjOMKIWsP8GA6036ApEQpunthwu62qyyG0IoGUb~x6yH5n5BYHiCch9DGTzDfrOqjvYuYUKAaM6lIuAF7ynfYpDzr4Igkxh05f~B6fuL8JY-mF7XE5tHOCysC2c9~6M5UaZJR9381MMeJvKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Naima Saeed, Ward 5 councilor and chair of the Traffic and Parking Committee, brought forward a request that the director of parking consider adding accessible on‑street parking near the Cobble Hill Senior Center on Washington Street.

Suzanne Winfred, director of parking, said accessible on‑street spots are assigned “on a basis of need for a constituent” and are not routinely placed on residential streets absent a request. “If anyone in that complex wishes to have a spot, they simply just need to fill out an application,” Winfred said, adding that the ADA director and the traffic commission are part of the review process.

Councilor Wilson told staff she would help notify Cobble Hill residents and said she planned to pick up applications from the parking office and return them to the center. Winfred said the department can mail applications on request and maintain an online version.

The committee recorded the item as complete after the exchange; staff did not commit to installing new signs or marks without an individual request and the formal ADA‑director review.

The discussion did not include a cost estimate, a timeline for installation, or names of any residents requesting spots; the committee directed residents to apply through the parking office or the ADA director for further consideration.","City parking staff said accessible on-street spaces near the Cobble Hill Senior Center would be installed only at a resident's request and through the ADA director and traffic commission process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves minutes, records item dispositions; keeps three project items in committee or complete

Somerville presents first Safe Streets annual report: 29‑mile priority bike network, 3‑mile per year target and cost estimates

Councilors ask mobility staff to study rapid‑flashing beacon at East Somerville Community School; item kept in committee

Somerville engineers say Ball Square signal likely needs controller upgrade; full prioritization and costs still pending

Somerville staff: residents may request accessible parking spots at Washington Street near Cobble Hill Senior Center