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Chelsea commission tables request to remove dedicated Broadway bus and bike lane during utility work
Summary
The Chelsea Traffic and Parking Commission on a voice vote tabled a councilor's request to temporarily remove the dedicated bus and bike lane on Broadway while downtown utility work continues, after the city—ommissioner of Public Works said removal would be costly and logistically difficult and suggested suspending enforcement as an alternative.
At its May 2025 meeting, the Chelsea Traffic and Parking Commission voted to table a request from Councilor Tesh to temporarily remove the dedicated bus and bike lane on Broadway for the duration of a downtown utility construction project.
Commissioner of Public Works Kate Fox Lundt told the commission the utility work will concentrate on Broadway in front of City Hall through May and June and that crews will return to other locations as time allows. She said removing the dedicated bus and bike lane now would require reinstalling it twice and cause additional construction impacts, and she offered suspending enforcement as a possible alternative.
The argument for temporary removal came from Councilor Tesh, who told the commission the change was intended to ease impacts to downtown businesses during construction. Kate Fox Lundt said she understood the intention but that removing and then reinstalling the lane would be "logistically very difficult" and estimated the cost to remove and replace the lane at approximately $300,000 to $650,000. She also said the lane had been "formally accepted as a permanent asset by city council" and that much of the current congestion stems from construction on Downtown Bridal, not the lane itself.
Commission members discussed short-term options. One commissioner suggested not enforcing the lane during construction; Fox Lundt said that would be a less costly approach than physically removing the lane. Commissioners also raised enforcement and weekend double-parking concerns and noted that police enforcement would factor into any temporary relaxation of the lane.
Steve (commission member) moved to table the councilor's request until the commission receives clarification; another commissioner seconded. On a voice vote the chair called for "Aye," and the item was tabled for further information and possible return at a future meeting.
The commission asked that Councilor Tesh provide written clarification or appear at a future meeting to state the precise relief sought (temporary removal versus suspension of enforcement).
