New Mass. Ave. Corridor Project Public Hearing Set for Feb. 26

The following is from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

MassDOT to hold upcoming public hearing on reconstruction of Mass Ave., Arlington, Feb. 26

Project to improve vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle movements; simplify traffic flow

BOSTON (January 29, 2013) – In response to a request from the Federal Highway Administration (attached), the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is hosting a second public hearing on the reconstruction of Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. at the town hall auditorium, 730 Massachusetts Ave. in Arlington.

The Mass. Ave. reconstruction project is being designed by the town of Arlington and funded by MassDOT. The purpose of the second public hearing is to highlight changes between the 25 percent plan and what is currently being proposed, giving the public an opportunity to become familiar with the project design. The hearing is also an opportunity for MassDOT to address concerns raised by the Federal Highway Administration and to solicit any additional public feedback.

The existing configuration does not have defined vehicle travel lanes, has a left-turn lane at only one intersection in the corridor, and does not provide for optimum use by various modes of travel. 

As proposed, the Mass. Ave. corridor between Pond Lane and Alewife Brook Parkway will be completely reconstructed. The finished product as proposed will have two travel lanes on the eastbound side of the road, and one travel lane heading westbound. The corridor will also have one five-foot bicycle lanes on both sides of Mass. Ave. as well as an eight- to 10-foot wide shoulder for on-street parking and bus stops. Additional travel and turning lanes will be added at major intersections. The design is in accordance with MassDOT’s Project Development Design Guide and adequately and reasonably accommodates all travel modes in this corridor.

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot and Facebook at www.facebook.com/massdotinfo.