The Watertown City Council on June 24 authorized the administration to use the city’s Fair Share amendment funds to pay the municipal share of design and construction work for a Main Street bus stop and crosswalk improvement project covered by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the MBTA.

City staff and the Public Works director told the council the project — originally covered under an earlier MOU — includes bus stop improvements, bump‑outs, ADA‑compliant curb ramps and sidewalks, flashing pedestrian beacons, updated traffic signal hardwiring and accessibility features (audio components). The MBTA would pay for design; the city would pay construction costs set out in the MOU. Public Works staff and the city engineer told the public works committee the MBTA’s commitment will remain if the city issues a bid request by the MOU extension deadline; the design would not change and construction could begin in September and possibly finish in November, with work continuing into 2026 if the season requires.

The committee and council said the FY24 Fair Share allocation of $309,948 is expected to cover the city’s obligations for the project, and staff noted the city could find additional funds in the DPW FY26 budget or request more from the MBTA if needed. The council instructed the administration to keep Fair Share funds in a separate municipal account and to prioritize projects that support public transportation and pedestrian and bicycle improvements. Councilors and disability advocates welcomed the project’s accessibility features; staff said the design does not include bus shelters but does include improved stops and ADA ramps.

The authorization to use the Fair Share funds for the Main Street MOU project passed unanimously.