Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
Town Center Streetscape Project
Phase 1 Lexington, MA
2
Selectmen’s Introduction
3
Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Safety in Center
Address Critical Infrastructure Issues 2012 Annual Town Meeting: $240,000 for 25% design 2014 Annual Town Meeting: $600,000 for 100% design and bid documents This project focuses on Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Safety in the center and addresses critical infrastructure needs as will be detailed in the presentations. It has also received 2 prior funding allocations from Town Meeting (see slide for details)
4
Current Conditions – Phase 1
5
Current Conditions – Phase 1
6
Current Conditions – Phase 1
7
Safety Elements – Phase 1
Improve lighting including at crosswalks Move crosswalks away from cars turning out of driveways Shorten crossings Improve sidewalks Narrow travel lanes Improve intersection
8
Intersection Current Conditions
Zoom-in
9
Intersection Safety Elements
Zoom-in Reconfigure Intersection Square Mass Ave & Woburn St Shift and Grow Island One-Way Mass Ave to Fletcher and Woburn St
10
Intersection Safety Elements
Zoom-in Narrow Traffic Lanes Bike Lane Flush Median Slows Traffic
11
Intersection Safety Elements
Zoom-in New Crosswalks Protected Pedestrians Island Refuge Traffic Light
12
Town Engineer’s Report
13
List of meetings Date Committees 3/17/2014 BOS Meeting 3/18/2014
6/24/2013 Transportation Forum 8/8/2013 Center Committee 9/10/2013 Streetscape Committee 9/30/2013 11/25/2013 12/5/2013 Public Meeting Workshop 12/19/2013 Streetscape Committee (debrief public workshop) 1/9/2014 Streetscape Committee (on Battlegreen) ADA Committee 1/18/2014 Battle Green Committee 2/14/2014 Coordination Meeting with Nelson Nygaard on Parking Study 2/20/2014 2/28/2014 Tourism Committee 3/11/2014 Pre-BOS meeting with Town Manger 3/12/2014 Property Owners Meeting Streetscape Committee-Lighting 3/17/2014 BOS Meeting 3/18/2014 Public Meeting 6/13/2014 Streetscape Committee (Preliminary Design Reviews 7/10/2014 7/17/2014 Preliminary Design Submittal 9/10/2014 Streetscape Committee (Project Coordination) 10/6/2014 Sample of the meetings held to date
14
Phase 1 limits The limits of the project extend from approximately 200 feet to the east of the intersection with Woburn Street through the intersection and to the exit driveway of the Cary memorial building as the westerly limits. The primary goal of the project is safety for all users and there is a significant focus on the safety of pedestrians. Additionally there is critical maintenance that is essential and included in this phase. First I will discuss the maintenance (much of which has a safety component) and I will follow up with the major safety components of this phase.
15
Adjacent to Fletcher Ave
Drainage Prior to rebuilding this (or any road) we evaluate the existing drainage. There is currently substandard drainage in this area that does result in puddling for extended periods as well as icing. These issues will be resolved as part of the phase 1 construction. Near Conscience land Adjacent to Fletcher Ave
16
Roadway condition Westbound lane Eastbound lane
Additionally the road conditions are very poor with a PCI of 36 with 100 being excellent condition. There is significant cracking, roadway distortion, as well as some pothole issues. This section of roadway will have a new surface when this project is complete creating a more comfortable and safe ride for bicycles and vehicles. Westbound lane Eastbound lane
17
Sidewalk condition The recently completed sidewalk inventory identifies the sidewalks and ramps in these areas as non-compliant with accessibility regulations and has prioritized them as high priority since there are in an area of high pedestrian use with numerous destination points.
18
Sidewalk condition Near Hosmer House Approaching Winthrop Road
Examples of the condition of the sidewalks can be seen here. There are non-compliant ramps and excessive cross-slopes along this phase. Near Hosmer House Approaching Winthrop Road
19
Sidewalk condition Southerly side Southerly side
Additionally there are numerous tripping hazards throughout this section of roadway. Southerly side Southerly side
20
Pedestrian Safety The most critical aspect of this project and the most difficult one to solve is the issue of pedestrian safety. The photo you see here and the ones on the next few slides were taken at the intersection of Mass Ave with Woburn Street and Winthrop Road. As you can see in these photos and likely witnessed firsthand there is a heavy volume of vehicles travelling through this intersection and a very confusing pattern of turning movements (describe different movements).
21
Pedestrian Safety 54 to 68 feet
There is an MBTA bus stop directly across from the camera position at the intersection with Winthrop Road and one nearby the camera location. Additionally the Farmers Market is adjacent to this intersection as well which brings in large numbers of pedestrians. There is currently no crossing or curb cuts for crossing at this intersection. The distance across the street in this area ranges from 54 to 68 feet. At an average crossing speed for a pedestrian of 3.5 feet per second it would take approximately seconds to cross at this location.
22
Pedestrian Safety Finding a gap in traffic of seconds makes it very difficult to cross here even for the most able-bodied. I personally tried unsuccessfully twice this week. Let’s discuss this intersection in more detail.
23
Intersection What can be done at this intersection to improve safety. We can tee it off to reduce the expanse of asphalt , better control movements and speeds, better define lanes, and improved the sight line for vehicles. We can add crosswalks at this location to define crossing points and provide a layer of safety for pedestrians. And we can shorten the crossing lengths…at the same location previously discussed the distance has been reduced to approximately 47 feet. This reduces the crossing time from the 15 to 20 second range down to about 13.5 seconds. Definitely and improvement but still difficult to cross with all the movements. So the options that exist are…
24
Design Option Comparisons Massachusetts Avenue/Woburn Street/Winthrop Road Intersection
Pros Cons Option 1 - Do Nothing Maintains existing traffic movements. Maintains the existing island. Unsafe traffic patterns. No pedestrian or bicycle support. Queuing on Woburn St (320 feet) Poor Operation (LOSF) Appearance/ expansive pavement Option 2 - Modify Geometry, No Signal Establish gateway to Town Center. Pedestrian/ bicycle support. Improved traffic patterns/channels Traffic Calming. Pedestrian crosswalk unprotected. Longer traffic queues on Woburn St. (Bikeway crossing; 500 ft.) Poor operation (LOSF). Option 3 - Modify Geometry, Traffic Signals Enhanced gateway to Town Center Protected pedestrian/ bicycle Improved traffic safety/ operations. Traffic calming benefits. Manage Mass. Ave. & Winthrop Rd. Installation and maintenance of traffic signals. Roundabout Controls traffic without signals. Requires extensive Right-of-Way. Of course Do Nothing T’ing off the intersection and without a signal T’ing off the intersection with a signal and a Roundabout option
25
Modify Geometry, No Signal Modify Geometry, Traffic Signal
Design Option Comparisons Massachusetts Avenue/Woburn Street/Winthrop Road Intersection Design Option Option 1 (Do Nothing) Option 2 Modify Geometry, No Signal Option 3 Modify Geometry, Traffic Signal Overall Safety – + + + Pedestrian Crossing Traffic Calming Level of Operation (Delays/LOS) – – Appearance Gateway 7. Winthrop Rd. A comparison of the three feasible options led us to the following chart (point out first four). The option with the signal is the only option that allowed for a protected pedestrian crossing. Currently the closest protected crossing is at the Waltham Street intersection with Mass Ave. This crossing is 1,300 feet away (1/4 mile, a 371 second or 6 minute walk). Note: Our recommendation is Option 3. It provides overall safety, operational improvements and gateway enhancements. Legend – Negative Positive
26
View A Existing Proposed
These two images show existing conditions (at the top) and proposed conditions (at the bottom) the vantage point is looking from the Arlington side of Winthrop Road toward the west. You can see the new safety improvements including sidewalks and crosswalks, new road surface, and entering bike lane. You may also notice a mast arm of the proposed signal. This signal would have a protected pedestrian phase for the crossings and would also include countdown timers to assist with crossings. This would allow the pedestrians to safely cross without the conflict of vehicles. View A
27
View B Existing Proposed
A second view shows the existing conditions and the proposed improvements from the vantage point of Winthrop Road looking North. You can see three of the proposed crosswalks at the controlled intersection with the protected crossing. You may also notice the proposed signals which are an ornamental style to match those at the Mass Ave/ Waltham intersection in the middle of the downtown area. View B
28
Phase 1 benefits Replacement of existing non-compliant sidewalk Roadway Restoration Drainage improvements Improved Bike accommodations Improved Level of Service at the intersection Improved safety for all users Vehicles Bicycles Pedestrians able-bodied Wheelchair bound Those pushing strollers Those with canes Those with walkers Children Legally blind This project is also very much in line with the goals of Article 35 for Complete Streets in Lexington and Article 45 which calls for improved safety for pedestrian and cyclists. See text on slide
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.