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Somerville staff outline barriers to pedestrianizing Elm Street for limited hours; modeling and community engagement needed
Summary
The city told the Traffic & Parking Committee that pedestrianizing Elm Street for select hours is conceptually possible but will require traffic‑modeling, potential two‑way conversions on adjacent Highland Avenue, signal and curb changes and careful coordination with MBTA operations and local businesses.
An order requested the administration update the council on the feasibility of pedestrianizing Elm Street for select hours, including obstacles and a potential timeline.
Director Lawson summarized staff thinking and flagged multiple operational and network constraints. Staff said MBTA buses and eastbound motor vehicle traffic would need routing alternatives during pedestrianized hours; that likely requires converting at least short stretches of Highland Avenue to two‑way motor vehicle and bus…
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