Planning Board endorses two‑way service drive concept to reduce conflicts in Kendall Square plaza

The Cambridge Planning Board concluded an advisory design update on the PB‑315 Kendall Square MXD project and provided design guidance to staff on a proposed two‑way circulation change intended to reduce vehicle conflicts in the central plaza. Chair Mary Flynn opened the item as a staff‑led briefing and the board subsequently voted to conclude the update and forward advisory comments to Community Development staff for continued design review.

BXP development manager Keir Evans told the board the two‑way modification is intended to reduce pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle conflicts near the new central plaza and the loading/service drives. "it pulls more than 100 trips out of the traffic pattern that was originally going past the center plaza here," he said, describing how the revised circulation redirects many trips back up to Binney Street and away from the plaza. Board members pressed the team about cut‑through behavior and future garage connectivity; the project team said connecting the two underground garages later would be technically difficult and likely infeasible without major tunneling work.

Why it matters: the change is advisory to staff and not a final approval; the board and staff emphasized that the measure is intended to reduce the number of vehicle crossings near high pedestrian and bicycle use areas and that final geometric treatments (raised crossings, signs, pavement hierarchy) will be coordinated with TP&T and CRA. Daniel Mast (Community Development) noted that a formal traffic study and TP&T sign/grade approvals will be part of project review when greater permit thresholds apply. The board encouraged continued study of raised crossings, signage and paving contrast to clearly signal pedestrian and cyclist priority.