The Somerville Traffic Commission has approved the installation of a rideshare pickup location at the Somernova complex. – Photo courtesy of Google Maps

By Bella Levavi

The City of Somerville Traffic Commission unanimously approved creating an Uber and Lyft pick up location at the Somernova complex located at the corner of Properzi Way and Tyler Street in their meeting on Tuesday, August 17.

Justin Schreiber, Transportation Planner for Somerville, explained that the intersection is often crowded with traffic and pedestrians, and creating designated spaces for loading to enable quick arrival and departure will decrease traffic in the area.

In the same resolution there is also a clause that creates a loading zone for other instances of drop offs at that intersection. 

Mark Chase, a transportation planner working with Somernova, explained that he interviewed many tenants in the area to arrive at the resolution brought forward to the Council. “All the tenants agree that that corner is just kind of a mess,” Chase said. Mark Niedergang, Ward 5 Councilor, agreed that this intersection needs something done to solve the problem of traffic.

Chase went on to say that he spoke directly with Uber and Lyft, and they agreed to install a geofence in the area. Geofences create one spot in the area for drivers to pick up passengers and block all other pick-up locations in the app.

Also in the meeting, the Commission unanimously approved three parking spots in front of Seven Hills Wine & Spirits located at 288 Beacon St. to be converted into a loading zone.

 Schreiber explained that currently there is one 24 hour 20-foot loading zone. The change would increase the loading zone threefold and make it active only during business hours. Visitors of the area would be able to park in this spot overnight. Businesses in the area were consulted before the proposal was made.

Additionally, safety zone speed limits were unanimously approved east of Davis Square. The borders of the safety zone are Cedar bounded by Elm and Morrison. The safety zone location lowers the speed limit to 20 mph. “We are making our way around the city creating these safety zone areas,” Alexandra Kleyman, Senior Transportation Planner of Somerville said. The proposal added 27 new locations to the safety zone.

Traffic Commission meetings are held monthly. The next meeting will be held on September 9.