Driven by data, transformative project aims to bring safer walking, biking, rolling, and driving to high-crash street 

Most people are well aware of the speed limit on the streets they use, but three other important numbers that define each street are driving road safety efforts in Somerville: the number of crashes, the number of vehicles and pedestrians, and the average vehicle speed. This data helped make clear the need for the new West Broadway Reconstruction safety project. 

In Somerville, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the City Council, and community members have rallied to prioritize transportation improvements on streets with high crash and injury risks as well busy pedestrian areas or crossings. West Broadway fits that bill, and all are invited to learn more about and discuss the West Broadway Reconstruction safety project at an upcoming community open house. 

 The open house, hosted by Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 7 Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld, and City staff welcomes all community members to learn about this effort, review an updated design, and share their feedback on Tuesday, October 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, at 177 Powder House Boulevard. 

 Broadway is one of the most used main streets in Somerville, crossing the entire city from east to west. Unfortunately, it has seen more than 200 crashes between 2018 and 2022. The westernmost segment of Broadway, the focus of this project, serves as a gateway to the city, connecting Somerville to Arlington, North Cambridge, Alewife Brook Parkway, and the Greenway Bike Path. It is heavily used by people walking, rolling, riding bikes, driving, or taking the bus. 

 The West Broadway Reconstruction project aims to dramatically reduce the number of crashes and increase safety by providing new and improved crossings, protected bike lanes in both directions, and traffic calming to reduce speeding. In addition, the City aims to improve the experience of traveling along the street with more trees for shade coverage, floating bus stops with dedicated waiting areas for bus riders, and all new sidewalks as well as a repaved roadway. 

 “Not all crashes include injuries, but every crash creates a risk of serious injury or death, so we are steadily working to end traffic fatalities and serious injuries in our city. That’s our clear Vision Zero goal, and we are making progress with projects like West Broadway among other efforts,” said Mayor Katjana Ballantyne.  

 “Serious crash injuries in Somerville are down 54 percent between 2013 and 2023. Last year, for the first time since 2018, we had no fatal crashes,” continued Mayor Ballantyne. “But I share this progress solemnly with those who we have lost in mind. Our work is far from done. The West Broadway Reconstruction Project is an opportunity to take a significant step forward, and it must be one of many.” 

 Building off the city’s Vision Zero Action Plan, Bicycle Network plan, and community input gathered since Fall 2023, city staff have worked with engineering consultants to develop an updated design.  

 At the open house, community members can explore different aspects of the design and talk directly to the project team about their questions and comments. If community members cannot attend, there will be multiple other ways to share feedback such as through an online feedback survey, street outreach pop-ups and more. Visit somervillema.gov/westbroadway for more details. 

 “Our residents want and need safer streets – and we need this as quickly as possible. We’ve shown that smart, community-driven, reconstruction projects can not only increase safety. We can increase the number of people who feel comfortable walking, biking, and rolling. We can improve public transit access and reliability. And we can strategically manage parking and vehicle traffic so all people can access our streets and businesses. This type of project is how Somerville moves forward on our safety and climate goals,” said Brad Rawson, Director of Mobility.