Needham committee weighs next steps for Harris, Great Plain and Main Street complete-streets concepts; stakeholder outreach, survey work and resurfacing timing

The Mobility Planning and Coordination Committee on June 9, 2025 discussed next steps to advance complete-streets concepts for Harris Avenue, Great Plain Avenue and Main Street and to coordinate design work with nearby projects and stakeholders.

Committee members and DPW staff emphasized that several design and scheduling constraints will determine what can be implemented this season. Staff said survey work is required to convert concept plans into constructible striping and marking layouts; the survey and design tasks would need to be funded before crews can safely restripe. Committee members supported doing survey work even if the concept is later adjusted, with one member saying, "No one's going to complain. Our engineering department, the dollars for surveys, they'll tell you it's never wasted." (Committee member James Goldstein).

The group discussed Harris Avenue in the context of the Pollard School project. Staff noted the school project could alter Harris Avenue and advised pausing final striping decisions until the school’s site decision is clearer. The committee also reviewed plans for the business stretch that runs by a pharmacy and a Dunkin' Donuts and directed staff to notify nearby businesses before paint goes down; members said parking protection in the business area should be prioritized and that paint-only changes carry a lower bar for outreach than any action that would remove designated parking or alter hardscape.

On Great Plain Avenue and Main Street, committee members and staff debated lane widths, edge lines and whether to install one-sided or two-way protected bicycle facilities. Staff observed the roadway widths vary and that some interim striping approaches — for example, adding edge lines or sharrows where a full bike lane cannot fit — can create the driving-line narrowing that improves safety. Staff warned that shifting centerlines on newly resurfaced pavement can be undesirable, and that the timing of resurfacing (scheduled work this summer) constrains what markings can be added before the paving occurs.

Funding and implementation choices were discussed. Staff reported that consultant designs could cost roughly $30,000 for a simple straight-lane concept on a short block (staff characterized this as a potential but not-feasible use of consultant funds in some cases) and advised splitting proposals so the town can prioritize survey work for the most complex segments. Committee members supported an initial paint-only approach where feasible, followed by more substantial changes after survey and design work.

Public comment earlier in the meeting raised related concerns. Resident Lou Wolfson urged better community engagement on Harris Avenue projects and recommended additional bikeway signage and alternative routes; Wolfson said, "I'm upset that the business owners... aren't aware of any of this information," and asked the committee to ensure property owners and businesses receive notice.

Staff listed next steps: secure survey funding for high-priority segments, conduct stakeholder outreach (business owners, churches and school crossing guards where applicable), and return with finalized plans with construction timing that aligns with resurfacing schedules. No formal vote or design approval occurred at the meeting; committee members directed staff to continue stakeholder engagement and to bring finalized plans back for committee and Select Board review where necessary.

What’s next: DPW will pursue survey proposals for the most constrained corridors, mail or hand-notify abutters in sensitive business corridors before paint work, and present finalized marking plans to the committee and Select Board for review in advance of implementation.