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Somerville to review crosswalks on Walnut and Wigglesworth near Winter Hill School; staff cite competing priorities and technical impediments
Summary
An order asking engineering and mobility to install crosswalks near Winter Hill Community Innovation School prompted staff to say Walnut Street appears more warranted than Wigglesworth and to note technical constraints (curb ramps, poles, drainage). No installation date was set; staff said the request will be reviewed and may be prioritized with a
An order from Councilors Klingen, McLaughlin, Wilson and Strezzo asked city staff to collaborate on installing crosswalks across Walnut Street and Wigglesworth Street to protect students and families walking to Winter Hill Community Innovation School.
Samantha Zilsdorf, a parent of children who attend Winter Hill School, told the committee dozens of students cross Walnut Street each morning and that the downhill grade on Walnut and vehicle speeds make sightlines and crossings hazardous. “Many kids are walking down my street… Walnut Street has a hill that goes down…and there are dozens of kids in the morning crossing the streets. It’s very difficult to see,” Zilsdorf said.
Brian Polstewaite, director of engineering, thanked residents for raising the issue and said engineering refreshed crosswalks in the neighborhood and added a new crosswalk at Marshall about a year and a half ago after the school moved to the Edgley site. Polstewaite said the Walnut Street location is “probably more warranted” because it is busier and noted the nearest crosswalks are about 700 feet apart, which exceeds preferred spacing. He said Wigglesworth is a quieter local street and therefore a harder case to prioritize.
Polstewaite and mobility staff stressed the need to weigh this request against many similar requests across the city and said staff will add Walnut and Wigglesworth to the review pipeline. City staff also warned that siting new accessible curb ramps can be constrained by utility poles, hydrants, driveways and drainage infrastructure; that constraint can shift the crosswalk location away from the exact desire line.
Staff said there is a reasonable chance the work could be prioritized sooner because the West Pearl project — already being designed and contracted — is proximate to the locations under consideration, which could reduce mobilization and construction costs. No firm schedule, funding amount or contractor hire date was provided. The committee held the item for further review and staff follow-up with the ward councilor and neighborhood advocates.
