The Chelsea Traffic and Parking Commission approved a temporary safety treatment at the Broadway/Shortliffe/Marlborough intersection on Jan. 6, endorsing painted curb extensions with flexible posts as an interim measure until larger reconstruction occurs.

Staff described the treatment as a low-cost, quickly deployable measure designed to narrow turning radii and force drivers to slow for the corner, and said it would remain in place until the reimagined Broadway project implements permanent curb alignment changes. "What it is... is basically bumping out the curb from where it is with a kind of graceful slope to being a little wider and more angular so that people have to, like, come up to Broadway, stop, turn on to Broadway," staff said when describing the plan.

A long-time advocate for changes at the intersection praised the action and noted data from the consultant showed the location ranked among the highest-risk corridors for cyclists and pedestrians in the study area. Commissioners discussed monitoring outcomes and collecting data under Vision Zero to decide on permanent design changes.

The motion to approve the temporary painted curb extensions and flexible posts passed by voice vote. Staff said the measure will be monitored and adjusted as needed, and permanent curb realignment would be addressed as part of the Broadway reconstruction planned for later phases.