Brookline Letter: Route 9 Bus Lane Would Mean More Traffic

BROOKLINE, MA —The following is a letter to the editor submitted by Alan Cohen, and signed by a dozen other Brookline neighbors regarding a proposed dedicated bus lane in Brookline Village. Read more: Brookline Eyes Adding Bus Lane To Brookline Village, Route 9

On Dec. 1, the Town Transportation Board gave a virtual presentation to interested residents about a plan to create a dedicated bus lane in the Gateway East area of Brookline at the intersection of Route 9, Washington, Pearl and High Streets, and Brookline and South Huntington Avenues.

As proposed, two lanes will become one traveling east on Route 9 from just past the old Lincoln School to the Boston line. In addition, there will be only one lane on Washington Street to and from Brookline Village. The stated intention of these changes is to save 3.6 minutes per bus ride.

By the proponents own admission, the plan would result in more significant backups for all non-bus traffic (with the exception of emergency vehicles) passing through these intersections because travel would be reduced to one-lane in several places.

While we commend the Town Transportation Board for promoting increased and enhanced MBTA use and we strongly support sustainability and mass transit, the proposed location and timing of a dedicated bus lane is ill-advised and needs much more analysis. We feel strongly that the plan as presented by the Board Chair, a representative of the MBTA, and their consultant is inadequate. It requires more complete analysis of changes in traffic conditions for all streets affected by these proposed bus lanes. In addition, citizens, businesses, schools and organizations in town need to be made aware of this proposal.

The presentation focused almost entirely on the impact on traffic on Route 9 to the exclusion of all the other streets in Gateway East. It will likely divert traffic to the abutting streets, detrimentally affecting Brookline businesses, and anyone driving east into Boston.

There are five traffic signals in less than one quarter of a mile along the proposed dedicated lane between High Street and the start of South Huntington Avenue. Fire Station One, located centrally to this stretch of road, overrides the timing of the lights as needed, adding more stress to traffic flow.

The presenters claim that there would be no impact on local neighborhoods. This assumption is contrary to logic and experience. Access to and from High Street would be significantly changed and there will be added burden to Walnut Street, which runs parallel to Route 9 and now bears traffic from two schools and NETA. Alternate routes will result in increased traffic on these streets, as well as Cypress Street, Davis Avenue, Station Street, and other streets in these densely residential areas.

These intersections of Washington & High streets, Route 9, Pearl Street & Brookline Avenue are among Brookline’s most congested areas. It is a significant roadway to Boston and the Longwood Medical Area, carrying over 40,000 cars per day. Many of the travel points of origin and destination are not served by alternative public transportation.

This project is likely to result in significant unexpected traffic consequences in a complex corridor already managing multiple challenges.

Timing for this project, during a lower-traffic pandemic, and prior to the completion of numerous enhanced traffic Gateway projects, including Children’s Hospital and the Hilton Hotel, and the re-opening of NETA, makes evaluation using current data unreliable.

We believe these proposed changes, no matter how well intentioned, will have tremendous unintended, and yet to be considered, negative consequences. Therefore, we urge citizens to get involved.

On Dec. 14 there will be a Transportation Board Zoom meeting to discuss this proposal. You can also send your comments to the Transportation Board or Todd Kirrane. tkirrane@brooklinema.gov.

Alan Cohen, Stan Trecker, Faith Michaels, Michelle Sommer, Chet Geschickter, Martha Huntly, Olivia Fischer Fox, Joanne Kinlay, Dan Saltzman, Elias Audy, Andy Olins, Elaine Shannon, Frances Shedd Fisher, Mitch Dynan