Hundreds Attend Mass. Ave. Corridor Project Hearing

Hundreds of residents packed into Auditorium Tuesday night to voice their opinions on the proposed reconstruction project for Mass. Ave.

Both sides were well represented at the public hearing, which was held by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and went late into the night.

After Rick Azzalina, the project’s engineer from Fay, Spofford and Thorndike, gave a 30-minute overview, Board of Selectmen chairwoman Clarissa Rowe said she was proud of the town’s residents for coming out and getting involved in a local issue.

“This is a tremendous community with strong-minded people,” she told the standing-room-only crowd.

Rowe would have to consistently use her gavel to silence applause during the ensuing and lengthy public comments portion, as both supporters and opposers clapped for their own.

She said 300 comment cards were given out. About 500 people appeared to be in attendance. Supporters tended to sit near the front, while opposers, many holding small stop signs, were generally toward the back.

During public comments, supporters, such as Richard Fraiman, owner of the Capitol Theatre, stressed that the project would make East Arlington more pedestrian friendly and aesthetically pleasing.

“I see (the project) as a tremendous plus,” he said.

Opposers, who appeared to have the slight edge in attendance, focused on the project’s travel lane reductions, which they believe will increase traffic, both on Mass. Ave. and its adjacent streets.

“I don’t believe (the project) will be able to handle traffic during rush hour,” said Melinda Drew, a Grafton Street resident.

The state- and federally-funded plan, dubbed the “Mass. Ave. Corridor Project,” would reduce lanes in certain sections from Pond Avenue to the Cambridge city line. However, Azzalina and supporters said that improved traffic signals, new left-turn-only lanes and shorter crosswalks, due to curb extensions, would actually improve traffic flow overall.

Other proposed changes include widening sidewalks, adding amenities, such as benches and trash receptacles, and marking new bike lanes.

In all, the project is expected to cost $5.8 million, leading resident Lyman Judd to ask, “Has anyone asked, ‘(After it doesn’t work,) how much it’s going to cost to restore Mass Ave. to its original design?’”

Well over 50 people voiced their opinions on the project.

Officials said they will take the comments into consideration as the plan moves forward. The design phase is only 25 percent complete, they said.