The committee received an update on the Envision Needham Center study (formerly called the Center Study Committee). Members said the group plans community outreach in early February and a pilot project in April that will reconfigure a section of Great Plain Avenue through Needham Center from four lanes to two (one lane each direction) using temporary barriers to simulate the change.

Presenters said the pilot is intended to increase pedestrian space and test traffic flow, and that the pilot period will run for a substantial duration (presenters said “probably a year”) with planned monitoring and evaluation. The committee was told the pilot will be accompanied by traffic studies, outreach and public feedback opportunities during the trial period.

The update noted the pilot will include physical barriers to mimic the proposed layout and that additional community engagement and monitoring plans are in development.