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Mill Street pilot shows lower crash counts; council accepts $2 million design earmark and asks for more data
Summary
City officials said crash counts on Mill Street have declined since protected bike lane and parking changes; council directed staff to accept a $2 million federal design grant with local match and requested further traffic and usage data.
WORCESTER, Mass. — The city’s transportation staff told the City Council that recent changes to the Mill Street corridor — including parking-protected bike lanes and installation of flex posts and signing — have coincided with lower crash counts and reduced average speeds, and the council advanced plans to use federal design funds for more permanent improvements.
Commissioner Riley (Department of Transportation and Mobility) told the council the overall crash average for the corridor fell from roughly 2.9 crashes per month over an 18‑month baseline to about 2.3 crashes per month in the most recent six‑month window. He cautioned the data set is still relatively short and said multi‑year comparisons are standard in his field.
The council also considered and moved forward with accepting federal design funding for further corridor work. Riley noted an earmark of $2,000,000 for corridor design with a $500,000 local match, and councilors asked staff for a schedule to hire a consultant and for a clearer public rollout plan, including outreach and interim safety measures. “The $2,000,000 earmark with a $500,000 local match,” Riley said, “will fund a corridor‑wide design process and consultant work to develop permanent improvements.”
Councilors asked for additional details the next meeting: a timeline for hiring a design consultant (staff said a September procurement is targeted), a breakdown of past spending on temporary improvements, and traffic‑volume data to ensure crash-rate comparisons account for any changes in vehicle counts. Councilor King and others emphasized the need for public notice and crosswalk improvements near schools.
Staff also described near‑term and longer‑term steps: enhanced signage and warning devices, a planned Benadna Beach crosswalk with a protected island and rapid flashing beacons, and a corridor‑wide design process that will examine intersection safety and consider separated bicycle facilities in the final buildout.
Next steps: Administration will return with the procurement timeline, a full spending history for earlier Mill Street measures, vehicle counts for before/after comparisons, and a public‑engagement plan for the design phase; council accepted the design funding on a roll-call vote.
