Plan to add buffered bike lane on Great Plain Avenue advances after board discussion on parking and striping
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Summary
Public-works staff presented a paint-only plan to reconfigure lanes and add buffered bike lanes on Great Plain Avenue between Harris Avenue and the Dedham line; board members debated parking impacts, enforcement and the need for further resident notification.
Town staff presented a paint-only striping and lane‑reconfiguration plan for Great Plain Avenue that would narrow vehicle lanes, add buffered bike lanes in sections and paint parking stalls in others. The draft, delivered Aug. 12, follows Complete Streets guidance and aims to calm traffic and create a more consistent corridor for cyclists.
Why it matters: Great Plain Avenue is a major east–west route with commercial frontage, MBTA adjacency and varying curb widths. The proposed plan seeks to repurpose excess lane width for bike mobility and buffer zones without changing curbs or removing most existing parking, staff said.
Details of the plan: Staff said the design aims for 10–11 foot travel lanes and a mix of full buffered bike lanes and shared-bike “sharrow” approaches where parking or intersection geometry prevents a full five-foot lane. In busier commercial stretches the plan paints stall-marked parking and a short transition to a lane that riders can use, rather than permanently removing stalls. Staff said the plan uses survey-verified layout so lines will be painted precisely relative to the centerline, addressing earlier inconsistent striping concerns on Greendale Avenue. The plan also proposes targeted green paint at major crossroads and strategic hatching in buffer areas.
Public reaction: Several board members and residents wanted additional outreach and more time to consider parking effects. Some members suggested holding a follow-up virtual public session and said the town should notify residents ahead of painting so they understand short-term impacts and enforcement expectations; staff said that painting would not, by itself, create new parking regulations, though the existence of a bike lane is a de facto parking restriction and could be enforced if needed.
Next steps: Staff indicated they have survey data and will finalize layout; work may proceed this fall or be postponed to the spring depending on contractor schedules. The board asked staff to consider additional outreach, confirm police enforcement approach and circulate refined striping drawings before final painting.
Ending: The board did not vote on the striping plan on Aug. 12 but signaled support for a paint‑only pilot while asking for further public notification and clarity on parking enforcement.
