Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Complete Streets Funding Program Awards and Milestone

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito today joined Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, Peabody Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr, members of the Massachusetts Legislature, municipal officials, and stakeholders at a ceremony in Peabody to celebrate the most recent round of Complete Streets grants where $7 million was awarded to 24 communities and recognize the milestone of half of all cities and towns across the Commonwealth putting in place formal policies encouraging the advancement of Complete Streets infrastructure.

A “Complete Street” is one that provides safe and accessible options for travelers of all ages and abilities including bicyclists, pedestrians, public transit users, and people using other forms of transportation. The Baker-Polito Administration has now awarded a total of approximately $30 million in construction funding for 103 projects since creating a funding program for Complete Streets in February 2016.

For example, Peabody is receiving $399,820 through this round of awards to build a multi-use path from the J. Henry Higgins Middle School to Emerson Park, reconstruct sidewalks, add new wheelchair ramps, install new crosswalks, and add signage. This will increase connectivity for local residents and school children and better enable people to walk or bike safely through this area.

“The investments in these communities are just a few examples of how we are partnering with municipalities to strengthen the transportation system and increase access to jobs, businesses, schools, and economic opportunities throughout local neighborhoods,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “With half of the Commonwealth’s communities participating in Complete Streets projects, we are continuing to make progress to improve transportation infrastructure in our cities and towns.”

“We are proud to continue working closely with our local partners and help ensure they are able to achieve their local development goals and improve their own roadways, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, pathways, and intersections through the Complete Streets program,”said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “Peabody and all of the award winners will be able to carry out multi-modal infrastructure projects using this funding and provide new and improved accommodations for people using all forms of travel.”

“With the leadership of Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito, MassDOT is continuing to partner with cities and towns and ensure that our roadways work for all users – regardless of their age, ability, or mode of travel,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “This program has now awarded over $30 million in construction funding for local cities and towns throughout Massachusetts, and we are continuing to receive positive input and support from the residents and commuters who are experiencing this program’s benefits.”

“The Complete Streets funding enables Peabody to build a much-needed multi-use path from the new Higgins Middle School to Emerson Park,” said Mayor Bettencourt. “We are grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration for their continued support of cities and towns and to our legislative delegation for its ongoing advocacy for infrastructure dollars.”

“We thank our municipal partners and all of the staff members who are involved in managing this program and implementing these multi-modal projects across the Commonwealth,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “These transportation investments are important not for what they are, but for what they do – increase connectivity and better allow people to reach destinations such as friends, families, and opportunities that improve our quality of life.”

The Complete Streets Funding Program was launched on February 1, 2016. To date, 176 municipalities have approved policies and 116 have approved Prioritization Plans. Examples of projects that can be addressed through the program include improved street lighting, radar speed signage, intersection signalization, new multi-modal paths and new signals at crosswalks.

“The Complete Streets program provides critical funding for communities to ensure that our roadway network properly supports all drivers, bikers, and pedestrians,” said Senator Joan Lovely. “I am pleased that Beverly, Salem, and 22 other municipalities will receive these awards to make important infrastructure improvements for both residents and visitors.”

“This is another example of the strong working relationship between state and local government where Peabody residents are the beneficiaries of that partnership,” said Representative Thomas P. Walsh.

The full list of communities receiving awards through this round of the Complete Streets Funding Program is as follows: 
Adams will receive $290,281 for improvements including new sidewalks and ADA compliant wheelchair ramps on Crotteau Street and a portion of Murray Street, which will increase pedestrian connectivity between several key points within the town and the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and improve pavement and drainage conditions along Crotteau Street.

Ashland will receive $311,336 for pedestrian safety improvements at the Homer Avenue and Central Street intersection, and along Pleasant Street to provide safer access to the nearby MBTA Commuter Rail Station. Improvements such as new crossing signals will also be made in local school zones. Additionally, a bicycle lane and appropriate signage will allow a safe bicycle connection to Route 135 and abutting neighborhoods.

Bedford will receive $393,250 to install new sidewalks on Hartford Street, Crescent Avenue and Bacon Road and add a raised crosswalk at two locations. Additionally, signals will be installed at the existing crosswalk on Great Road at the Narrow Gauge Rail Trail for access to MBTA bus stops and other destinations.

Beverly will receive $400,000 to reconstruct Cabot Street by extending sidewalk and pedestrian crossings improvements, widen sidewalks, shorten pedestrian crossings, add curb ramps, and put in place bike lane markings. Through this multi-phase project, the entire reconstruction on this roadway will include over a half mile stretch of the core downtown commercial corridor and Beverly Cultural District.

Braintree will receive $94,972 for the installation of bicycle lanes, pavement markings and signage on Granite Street to improve travel.  In addition, U-loop style bicycle storage racks will be installed at area schools and Sunset Lake Beach.

Gloucester will receive $398,348 to improve travel  for cyclists by installing bicycle lanes along Route 127 and Main Street through Downtown Gloucester. Safety improvements at O’Malley School will include reconstruction of the Reynard and Cherry Street intersection and the addition of a crosswalk and pedestrian signals across Poplar Street.

Holyoke will receive $389,819 for the installation of pedestrian traffic signals, sidewalks, and ADA compliant curb ramps, as well as bicycle lanes on several streets in the town.

Lynn will receive $354,010 for the reconstruction of Central Avenue from Andrew Street to Oxford Street with the reconfiguration of existing ramps, crosswalks, and pedestrian traffic signal equipment. Traffic signal timing will also be modified along with the installation of countdown crosswalk signals with audible push buttons, and new STOP signs on the approach to crosswalks.

Medford will receive $149,088 to improve Tufts Square intersections by rebuilding sidewalks, repaving the intersection area and adding new pedestrian and bicycle signals and signage.

Middleton will receive $171,925 to reconstruct the intersection of Maple Street (Route 62) at Liberty Street to enhance safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. Work will include shortening pedestrian crossing distances, constructing new sidewalks with curb ramps, and adding ADA-compliant wheelchair ramps.  This project will reconfigure the intersection to facilitate the flow of traffic, and improve safety for all users.

Milton will receive $396,703 for a project which includes reconstructing the northbound sidewalk on Lincoln Street to create a two-way shared use side path along the property of Pierce Middle School. Additional pedestrian improvements in the town include curb extensions, and restriping and widening of sidewalks.

Natick will receive $204,424 to make pedestrian and bicycle improvements to the Campus Street and West Street corridor and the Newfield Drive corridor such as widening sidewalks and adding street lights. This will allow for safer and easier access from Natick High School and area recreation areas and neighborhoods, and improved access from the West Natick MBTA Station to local neighborhoods.

Norwell will receive $200,000 to install sidewalks on Main Street (Route 123) between South Street and the Norwell Middle School and two new crosswalks at South Street and Cushing Hill Road. These pedestrian improvements will connect key destinations including the Norwell High School and Library on South Street and the Middle School on Main Street. This will allow students and others to easily and safely walk between locations for after school actives, sporting practices and events.

Palmer will receive $178,282 for sidewalk and crosswalk upgrades, adding features which include pedestrian signals, ADA compliant ramps and curb extensions to reduce crossing distances.

Peabody will receive $399,820 to install a path on Perkins Street from the J. Henry Higgins Middle School to Emerson Park at Fay Avenue. From Fay Avenue to Lowell Street, the existing sidewalks along Perkins Street will be reconstructed and will include ADA compliant wheelchair ramps.

Sherborn will receive $210,284 to reconstruct a sidewalk on Main Street and construct a multi-modal path to provide a connection from Whitney Street to the Upper Charles Trail. In addition, two speed feedback displays will be installed along with school zone speed limit signs on Eliot Street and North Main Street.

South Hadley will receive $385,001 for the installation of pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements, ADA compliant ramps, the reduction of pedestrian crossing distances, and improvements in visibility for safer access to all users. Bicycle safety improvements will include new bicycle lanes and shared use markings.

Stoneham will receive $379,084 for safety improvements to the Pleasant and Williams Street and Pleasant and Spring Street intersections. Additionally, pedestrian safety improvements will be made to Central Street, and a bicycle rack will be installed at the town common.

Stow will receive $265,134 for improvements to Great Road including the reconstruction of the intersections with Harvard Road and Old Bolton Road. Additionally, this project will install new bicycle lanes and pavement markings along Route 117.

Tewksbury will receive $400,000 for the reconstruction of sidewalks and safety improvements including new wheelchair ramps, pedestrian signals, and bicycle markings. Additionally, the LRTA bus stop will be relocated to a new ADA-complaint location.

Tyngsborough will receive $396,631 to reconstruct the intersection of Kendall Road and Winslow Road and add new sidewalks and curb extensions, pedestrian signals, and ADA compliant ramps. In addition, a shared use path along Winslow Road will be installed and will provide a direct connection to the new recreation center.

Watertown will receive $289,814 for a project which includes the installation of a raised crosswalk with ADA compliant ramps and pedestrian signals on Warren Street at the Cunniff Elementary School entrance. Additional pedestrian and bicycle improvements include the widening of the existing community path and the relocation and reconstruction of the existing Watertown Street sidewalk.

West Tisbury will receive $141,500 for pedestrian accommodations including a crosswalk with ADA compliant curb ramps, pedestrian signals, yield signage, and crosswalk paint. A shared use path connection will be installed on the northbound side of Old County Road at the crosswalk to the State Forest entrance to provide an accessible link to the State Forest network for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Williamstown will receive $167,847 for the installation of solar-powered pedestrian signals at 6 locations along Main Street. This award will also enable the installation of 500 feet of new ADA accessible sidewalk and curb ramps along South Street which will connect the Buxton School to the Clark Art Institute and the rest of downtown.

Please visit the Complete Streets website for additional information. Check the Complete Streets Map for the status of community participation and documents.

Written by Klark Jessen

Courtesy of MassDOT Blog