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Needham advances Highland Ave TIP application; Mark Tree and Great Plain planning continue
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Summary
At its Feb. 10 meeting the Mobility Planning and Coordination Committee reviewed the Highland Avenue TIP application and public outreach timeline, received Mark Tree Road survey results favoring a single-side sidewalk, and heard that Great Plain Avenue visioning produced robust public feedback and a pilot grant moving toward design.
The Mobility Planning and Coordination Committee on Feb. 10 reviewed several major transportation and streetscape efforts: the Highland Avenue roadway improvement TIP application, design and outreach for Mark Tree Road, and the Great Plain Avenue visioning and pilot program.
Highland Avenue (TIP project)
Tyler (staff member) said the town submitted an application to the Boston-region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and has launched a project webpage and an online survey focused on bike-lane configuration. The project team will hold a public visioning workshop in Powers Hall on Feb. 26; survey results will inform a 25-percent design iteration that the committee expects to review before the town makes any formal comment to the Select Board.
Mark Tree Road
Consultants collected resident feedback and found speeding and road safety were common concerns. When asked whether sidewalks should be on both sides or one side, the survey showed a majority preference for a single-side sidewalk (the consultant labeled that as "alternative 1"). Staff said that outcome would be less costly and less disruptive while still allowing targeted pedestrian improvements and crossings to connect residents to the sidewalk side.
Great Plain Avenue (Envision Needham Center)
The consultant-led walking tours, an open house and an additional evening tour produced written comments and interactive feedback boards. The recent engagement emphasized concerns about traffic behavior and support for pedestrian and cycling amenities. The project team is compiling feedback, finishing technical traffic analysis and preparing small-scale pilot designs funded by a grant; the pilots will be developed this spring.
Process notes and committee role
Committee members discussed how the mobility committee should provide formal input: the consultant’s schedule anticipates two public meetings and staff said the committee can review design developments before the materials go to the Select Board. Members cautioned that once a TIP project advances it becomes harder to change core elements, so early committee and public input is important.
Next steps
- Highland Ave: Public visioning workshop Feb. 26; survey live now; 25-percent design to follow and a committee review before Select Board presentation.
- Mark Tree Road: Consultant to refine designs consistent with resident preference for a one-side sidewalk option and present further materials to the public.
- Great Plain Ave: Consultant compiling input and finishing a traffic study; pilot design work to begin in spring under grant funding.
