Monday, June 22, 2026 at 6 PM

Agenda 10 items

1. 1.
   26-0854 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting of April 27, 2026.

   Roll call: 3 aye

   • Ben WheelerAye
   • Wilfred N. MbahAye
   • Naima SaitAye

   • 📎 Minutes - T&P - 4-27-26 Full
2. 2.
   26-0939 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting of May 18, 2026.

   Roll call: 3 aye

   • Ben WheelerAye
   • Wilfred N. MbahAye
   • Naima SaitAye

   • 📎 Minutes - T&P - 5-18-26 Full
3. 3.
   26-1021 Resolution Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Mobility install additional signage and the Chief of Police increase enforcement to ensure compliance with the one-way traffic direction on Whitfield Road.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Brad Rawson shared that residents have observed vehicles traveling the wrong way in the area, particularly during the fall move-in period, and noted that the behavior does not appear to be intentional. Director of Traffic and Parking Suzanne Rinfret stated that the area already has proper signage, including a \ldblquote Do Not Enter\rdblquote sign, but noted that another one-way sign could be added to the Whitfield Road sign blade to improve clarity.\par }

4. 4.
   26-0837 Resolution Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Mobility use urban Neighborways art on Perkins Street, in front of the playground, to increase pedestrian safety.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Brad Rawson stated that Perkins Street in East Somerville is designated as part of Somerville\rquote s official bicycle network plan. He explained that the plan includes two types of safety treatments: separated bike lanes and traffic-calmed neighborhood routes, known as Neighborways, which are intended to provide alternative connections to popular public destinations. Director Rawson noted that Neighborways involve more than public art and may include operational changes such as parking restrictions where needed. Director Rawson stated that work on Perkins Street is planned in the coming years and explained that once a project is identified, the City follows a 12-18 month project development process to allow for community engagement and design development. While there is not yet a specific project start date, he noted that completion is anticipated by 2030. In response to a question from Councilor Mbah, Director Rawson stated that the estimated cost is approximately $250,000 per mile for a full project and approximately $100,000 per mile for just materials and installation.\par }

5. 5.
   26-1012 Resolution Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Chief of Police increase traffic enforcement in Teele Square, especially focusing on the lights and crosswalks between Broadway and Holland Street, and especially in the morning when students and families are walking to school.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Somerville Police Traffic Unit Sergeant Michael McCarey noted that the requested location has been added to the Traffic Unit\rquote s patrol schedule, with a particular focus on morning enforcement. Officers who routinely patrol the area have also been made aware of the concern and will provide additional monitoring. The department will conduct targeted enforcement for four weeks and then evaluate whether continued enforcement is warranted based on changes in the number of infractions.\par \par Councilor Wheeler asked how the department assesses ongoing enforcement needs. Sergeant McCarey explained that the department compares infraction data before and after the enforcement period and may extend enforcement if violations do not decrease. He added that the department conducts an internal quarterly traffic review using citation data, crash data, and community requests to identify areas of concern and also uses the 311 system to track trends. Sergeant McCarey noted that this data can be shared. In response to Councilor Mbah, he stated that Teele Square does not have a higher rate of noncompliance than other areas.\par }

6. 6.
   26-0124 Resolution Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Mobility implement colored lane markings for bus and bike lanes on Prospect Street between Webster Avenue and Somerville Avenue.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Brad Rawson stated that Prospect Street is an important transit corridor and that enhanced pavement markings are intended to improve bus reliability and safety. He explained that dedicated bus and bike lanes were installed in the area in 2017 but did not receive the red pavement treatment that the City now uses as a standard practice to improve compliance. Director Rawson added that the corridor is expected to become increasingly important with the implementation of the MBTA\rquote s bus network redesign, including changes to Route 47 that will strengthen connections between East Somerville, Union Square, Inman Square, Kendall Square, and Longwood. He added that the project also includes traffic signal improvements and is already underway. Staff recently conducted neighborhood outreach through flyering and pavement marking work could begin in early August.\par }

7. 7.
   26-0614 Resolution Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Mobility add the intersection of Durham and Hanson Street to the list of crosswalks that require daylighting improvements to enhance visibility and pedestrian safety.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Brad Rawson stated that staff have added this location to the City\rquote s evaluation list. He noted that Director Suzanne Rinfret\rquote s team will work to ensure vehicles are not parking within 20 feet of the crosswalk and that fire lane markings may also be considered as part of the order. Director Rawson explained that the City\rquote s traffic calming website outlines the criteria and selection process for daylighting and clear corner improvements and noted that Highland Avenue is the priority location for this year\rquote s work. He added that pavement markings serve to reinforce existing parking and traffic regulations rather than create new restrictions.\par }

8. 8.
   26-0806 Resolution Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Mobility install a speed bump on Vernon Street.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Chair Sait shared that residents have identified the area as a concern and noted that a new crosswalk is planned on Lowell Street near Vernon Street. The crosswalk is expected to improve traffic flow and intersection conditions at Vernon Street and she asked if staff could collect additional data at the location to determine whether a speed hump would be appropriate as well.\par \par Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Brad Rawson stated that the City follows a prioritization process that begins with data collection and noted that data has already been gathered for this street, although next steps have not yet been determined. He added that additional information on the process is available on the City\rquote s traffic calming webpage and that staff expect to have a better idea of next steps within the next month or two.\par }

9. 9.
   26-0822 Resolution Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Mobility install speed bumps on Elmwood Street and assess whether closing the street to non-residents during rush hours would be possible and useful to reduce the cut-through traffic to and from Cameron Avenue.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Brad Rawson stated that the City\rquote s traffic calming process begins with data collection and noted that staff have already gathered data for this street, although next steps have not yet been determined. He stated that staff plan to review the data in July and hope to provide a public update in late summer.\par }

10. 10.
    26-0840 Resolution Recommended to be marked work completed

    That the Director of Mobility evaluate the feasibility of implementing a raised intersection or crosswalk at the intersection of Columbus Avenue, Prospect Hill Parkway, and Stone Avenue, and report findings to the City Council.

    {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Brad Rawson stated that the location includes a steep hill, which creates challenging sight lines. He noted that staff will evaluate the area over the summer as part of a broader, holistic review of conditions and potential improvements.\par }