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Mayor Menino Announces Start of Massachusetts Avenue Reconstruction
9/11/2009
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bikes
Mayor Menino Announces Start of Massachusetts Avenue Reconstruction
Project to create new bike accommodations
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced that the reconstruction of Massachusetts Avenue is now underway. Preparatory work, such as tree wrapping and the installation of construction signage, has already begun and the first signs of actual construction will be visible within the next week.
"I couldn't be more pleased to witness the start of this construction," said Mayor Menino. "Although Massachusetts Avenue is a critical thoroughfare carrying 33,000 vehicles a day and home to a number of the city's busiest institutions, it is also a neighborhood street to residents of Boston's South End, with shops and restaurants that locals can walk to from their homes. The new design takes this into consideration offering both function and appeal for all who travel on Massachusetts Avenue, whether it is by foot, bicycle, their own car or the MBTA."
The $14.5 million project is utilizing federal state transportation funding. It encompasses the reconstruction of Massachusetts Avenue in Boston's South End from 150 feet south of Albany Street to 100 feet north of St. Botolph Street, a distance of 0.87 miles. Improvements to public safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists alike are the primary goal of the new design which works to enhance traffic flow, accommodate bicycles and buses, and be ADA accessible.
The project encompasses repaving the roadway and fully modernizing all traffic signal equipment and interconnecting it with the city's traffic management center via a new fiber optic connection. In addition, left turn bays will be installed at the intersections to reduce congestion and improve traffic safety. New curbing, sidewalks, street lighting and trash receptacles will be installed and landscaping will be enhanced with trees and shrubbery.
A major component is to also ensure that the construction incorporate bicycle accommodations. “Massachusetts Avenue is a critical connection in the citywide bicycle network” said Nicole Freedman, director of Mayor Menino’s Boston Bikes program. “The new bike accommodations on the street will be heavily used by students, as well as by commuters and local residents.”
An extensive community process has been in place from the project's beginning more than ten years ago. A task force was formed representing various neighborhood associations and stake holders, open public meetings were held where residents, business owners and local institutions, such as representatives of Boston University Medical Center, all participated. In addition, advocacy groups including Walk Boston, Livable Streets and Mass Bike were all included in the discussion.
Boston Transportation Commissioner Thomas J. Tinlin said, "Throughout the process, the City of Boston has been fortunate to have had input from a committed group of volunteers who regularly use Massachusetts Avenue, have insight into how it should meet the needs of all users, and are invested in how the street looks and functions in the future. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank them for their participation and I look forward to greeting the completion of construction with them."
The contract was awarded by the Massachusetts Highway Department to Mario Susi and Son, Inc. The project is slated to be completed in 2011 after two construction seasons. Work hours will typically be from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. While there will be lane reductions, the flow of traffic will be maintained along Massachusetts Avenue throughout the construction period. Boston Police Detail Officers will be on site to maintain public safety in the work areas and direct traffic flow.
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©2009 The City of Boston
©2009 The City of Boston
©2009 The City of Boston
