McGrath Boulevard Project Development
Working Group Meeting #7
March 24, 2016– East Somerville Community School
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Agenda
• Introduction
• Project Status (looking back and looking ahead)
• Design Concept Development:
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Roadway Geometry/Boulevard
Bicycle Facilities
Pedestrian Accommodations
Transit Elements
Pedestrian Evaluation
Bicycle Evaluation
Vehicle Operations
Next Steps:
• ENF filing
• Future funding opportunities
Project Status
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Looking Back
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From July 17th, 2014 to today:
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7 working group meetings
3 targeted stakeholder briefings
2 public information meetings
2 municipal coordination sessions
1 appearance at Union Square Farmers’ Market
Appearance at the Somerville ArtBeat Festival
You have helped us accomplish much:
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Analysis and selection of a cross-section for McGrath Boulevard
Identification of intersection configurations at all major
intersections
Key guidance on bicycle and pedestrian connectivity
Key guidance on green space allocation
Connecting the discrete pieces into a vision of a cohesive McGrath
Boulevard
Give yourself a round of applause – We Thank You!
Looking Ahead
• This phase of work is ending…
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But more remains to be done
• Preparation and submission of the project
development report
• Environmental filings
• Public information meeting to present preferred
concept
• And after?
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The next stage of work would take the concept to
a 25% design
Design Concept Development
Design Concept-Overview
•Boulevard Definition
•Cross Section
•Connectivity
•Open Space & Landscaping
•Accommodating all Modes
Corridor Plan
Corridor Plan
Corridor Plan
Corridor Plan
Corridor Plan
Corridor Plan - Perspective View – Existing
Looking south from Washington Street
Corridor Plan - Perspective View – Proposed
Looking south from Washington Street
Corridor Plan
Corridor Plan
Pedestrian Evaluation
Pedestrian Evaluation
• The pedestrian network
• Key elements of the pedestrian design
• Pedestrian Level of Service Analysis
Improved Connections
Pedestrian Connections
• Broadway – reduced crossing
distance
• Otis Street at-grade crossing
• Cross Street and Prospect
Street at-grade crossing
• Brickbottom connection to
Somerville Avenue/Medford
Street
Pedestrian Elements
Pedestrian Analysis
SOURCE: “Bicycle and Pedestrian Level‐of‐Service Performance Measures and Standards for Congestion Management Systems” Linda B. Dixon
Transportation Research Record 1538
Pedestrian Analysis – Existing Example
McGrath at Medford & Chester
Existing Pedestrian Analysis
Pedestrian Analysis – Build Example
McGrath at Medford & Chester
Build Pedestrian Analysis
Bicycle Evaluation
Bicycle Evaluation
•The bicycle network
•Key elements to the bicycle design
•Level of Traffic Stress analysis
2015 Bicycle Facilities
Source: 2015 Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee Annual Report and McGrath Working Group.
Future Bicycle Facilities
Source: 2015 Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee Annual Report and McGrath Working Group.
Future Bicycle Facilities 1
Future Bicycle Facilities 2
Future Bicycle Facilities 3
Future Bicycle Facilities 4
Future Bicycle Facilities 5
Future Bicycle Facilities 6
Future Bicycle Facilities 7
Key Bicycle Features
McGrath at Poplar Example
• Separated Bike Lanes
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Suitable for riders of
all abilities
• Mountable Truck Apron
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Slow turning speeds
• Protected Intersections
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Mitigate turning
conflicts
• Shorten crossings
distances
Connection to GLX at
Washington Street
Local route adjacent to
Community Path
2014 Bicycle Analysis:
Levels of Traffic Stress
LTS 1
Suitable for a relaxing bike ride with
little cyclist attention required.
Children may need to be supervised at
intersections.
LTS 2
Suitable to most adults, but more
demanding than what a child may be
expected to handle.
LTS 3
More traffic stress than LTS 2,
acceptable for most cyclists currently
riding in the US.
LTS 4
A level of stress beyond LTS 3.
Source: Low-Stress Bicycling and Network Connectivity Maaza C. Mekuria, Ph.D., P.E., PTOE,
Peter G. Furth, Ph.D. and Hilary Nixon, Ph.D.
2014 Bicycle Analysis
Bicycle Scoring Elements:
Levels of Traffic Stress Factors
• Segment/Facility Score
• Bicycle Lane Consideration
• Right Turn Consideration
• Intersection Crossing
• Intersection Treatments
2014 Existing LTS
• Mixed traffic with speeds greater
than 35 miles per hour
• No Right turn accommodations
Build Bicycle Analysis
Vehicle Operations
Vehicle Operations Review
•Overview of Assumptions
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Comparison of existing and build volumes
Diverted Traffic
Operations benchmarks
Capacity 4 lane vs. 6 lane
Vehicle operations effect on pedestrians an
bicyclists
AM Traffic Volumes
AM Traffic Volumes
PM Traffic Volumes
PM Traffic Volumes
Proposed Level of Service
Next Steps
MEPA Process
• Environmental Notification Form and Project
Development Report – Late Spring/Summer
2016
• Notice in the Environmental Monitor & public
comment period
• Scoping Meeting during the public comment
period
• Certificate of the Secretary of Energy and
Environmental Affairs on the ENF – Summer
2016
Future Funding Opportunities
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NEPA – if federal funds are to be used
25% Design
25% Design Public Hearing
Final Design
Construction
Ongoing public input throughout design &
construction