Come to a community meeting on Wednesday, May 22, to talk about the progress that’s been made on the Powder House Blvd. Traffic Safety plan and to begin discussions about bike lane options for the road. The meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, 177 Powder House Blvd.
If you can’t make this meeting it is just the first of several discussions that will be happening throughout the summer around bike lane options for Powder House Blvd.
About the Event
Please note that this meeting has been moved to 6:30 p.m. (originally 6 p.m.)
A community meeting to discuss progress on the Powder House Blvd. Traffic Safety plan and officially kick off community discussion of the bike lane options for the Boulevard is scheduled for Wed., May 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, 177 Powder House Blvd. To see a copy of the plan, please visit www.somervillema.gov/powderhouseboulevard.
Safety Plan: The plan builds on earlier safety measures and traffic calming improvements made to the Boulevard in recent years. The next steps detailed in the plan include a number of additional improvements already scheduled for the current construction season as well as some new elements developed this year in response to community input. Every action detailed in the plan aims to increase safety on Powder House Blvd. for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
Bike Lane Options: The plan also updates existing plans for a “road diet” for the Boulevard, an effective approach for slowing traffic by narrowing the vehicle travel lanes. Single lane bike lanes had been previously planned for Fall 2019 for the Boulevard to both improve cyclist safety as well as narrow the road. In collaboration with the Somerville Bicycle Committee, discussions will be held from May through the summer to determine if the community prefers the existing plan or a two-lane, two-way bike path instead that could have additional safety benefits for both cyclists and pedestrians that would require the elimination of a significant amount of parking.
Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact should contact Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.
How about a bike – yuppie – socialist – progressive intrusion on the people who pay the way be stopped.
First of lets start doing a survey of how many bikes use a particular thoroughfare after that determine what the needs are.
I personally bike and drive and I frequently am on powderhouse blvd often to and from work.. My guess the road is safe enough and wide enough for a single bike lane on each side without losing parking and being safer than most areas that are much more traveled.
The unfortunate accident that took an innocent life should not drive the whole process of determining how the goals of safe travel are achieved.
The driver that caused the accident did something wrong not the signage, street design or the lighting.
I think the city and its wing nuts need to start thinking about designing specific areas for safe travel for bikes, pedestrians and cars that make sense
Drivers ignore market crosswalks, stop signs, red and yellow caution lights as well as bicyclists. The roads were designed for horse and buggys then paved for cars. Trees, curbing and natural topograpghy caused the many of the conditions that exist today.
Why do we have a bike path if its not functional enough lets make it better meet the needs for travelers that use it. Why force change in areas that does not make any sense.
A good example is the newest bike lane markings on Temple St from Broadway to Mystic Ave. You are heading down from Bway and at the bend the bike lane disappears. A very well thought out design what are you on your own?
Did the bike committee agree to this design? You are telling all the young inexperienced bikers good ahead take this route and bang your in the automobile traffic no more bike travel lane at the most hazardous area.
I would bet a million dollars his onher the mayor is not riding with his children down this route.
We need to be realistic and design areas that are safe for everyone most important for the the ability to navigate a two thousand pound vehicle driven by without creating more hazardous situations.
Remember there are thousands of vehicles passing through our fine city going elsewhere they are not stopping, slowing done or know the neighborhoods.
A better safer Somerville for all.
Good common sense response. I have probably spent more hours on a bike than most everyone here. So I am not anti bike.
So essentially the Somerville Bicycle Committee is telling us how to screw up out roads more. Less parking and more cars. Guess the people at city hall do not know how to do their math very well. The meeting is only to make you feel good about the way they are going to do it regardless of what you want. Obviously this will result in more aggressive driving here. Seniors and handicap will suffer the most as they won’t be able to make the long trip home to their houses. Just another nail in the coffin to the ruin of this once great city.