Brookline To Expand Sidewalks To Help Residents Social Distance

BROOKLINE, MA — As the number of people who have tested positive for the new coronavirus in Brookline continues to rise, with 93 cases reported Wednesday, town officials have approved a measure that will temporarily extend sidewalks into the roadway so that people who walk to work can practice social distancing, while they are out.

Brookline is temporarily expanding public sidewalks and other public ways for pedestrians, and cyclists who may have already been stepping into the street to avoid one another.

On Wednesday the Transportation Board approved a proposal that temporarily uses portions of vehicle travel or parking spots on Harvard, Longwood, Brookline Ave, and a portion of Beacon Street and turns them into a protected lane for pedestrians and cyclists.

"Even with people staying home in significant numbers, there is still a natural need for walkable space and we want to give residents as much space as possible while vehicular traffic is low and the need for physical distance among pedestrians is high," Transportation Administrator Todd Kirrane said in a statement. "What’s important to remember, however, is that this is not designed as an invitation for more people to go outside — rather it’s meant to enable those who have to go outside to commute to work or do essential shopping to do so in the safest way possible."

The modified configurations will be in place until further notice, and the Transportation Board is expected to evaluate additional options for maximizing residents’ ability to practice social distancing in public spaces.

The town will close one parking lane on Harvard to provide an extra 7 feet, On Brookline Avenue both parking lanes will be used so that pedestrians and cyclists will get an extra 16 feet. On Longwood Avenue the parking lane will be used to create an extra 8 feet, and on Beacon St in Coolidge Corner part of the travel lane will be reserved so create an extra 7.5 feet each block, according to the transportation board.

Over the next week, the Department of Public Works will work to implement the modifications, which include:
Beacon Street Eastbound (Webster Street to Pleasant Street)
Vehicular traffic will be allowed only in the left lane, with parking available in the right lane. The existing parking lane will be open for pedestrians, cyclists, scooters and mobility devices.
Beacon Street Westbound (Pleasant Street to Marion Street)
Vehicular traffic will be allowed only in the left lane, with the right lane serving as a parking lane and the existing parking lane remaining open for pedestrians, cyclists, scooters and mobility devices.
Brookline Avenue (Pearl Street to the town line)
Parking lanes in each direction will be removed to provide additional space for pedestrians, cyclists, scooters and mobility devices.
Harvard Street
One parking lane will be removed along the entire length of the street to better accommodate pedestrian, bicycle and scooter traffic.
Longwood (Town line to Sewall Avenue)
The parking lane will be opened as an expansion of the adjacent sidewalk.

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