Medford Announces Selections For Shared Streets Pilot

MEDFORD, MA — Three streets have been selected for the city's inaugural Shared Streets pilot program for summer/fall 2020. City officials chose Kilgore Avenue, Stearns Avenue and Tontine Street for the initial pilot from a list of more than 20 streets nominated by residents.

As of Aug. 27, nominations for additional streets to participate in the program are now being accepted. Up to four additional streets may be selected for the Fall 2020 pilot program, in addition to the three streets already underway.

Shared Streets prioritizes public streets for pedestrians, bicyclists and lower-speed vehicles. Concepts typically range from installing street furniture, planters, and other barriers along the public way, to posting signs deterring through traffic from utilizing a particular street. Medford's program was launched in early August, due in part to grant funding from the Solomon Foundation.

Residents who are interested in seeing a Shared Streets pilot on their street may sign up at the following links. To be sure that the program will be helpful and not negatively impact your neighborhood, officials ask that you provide proof of support from most residents of your street.

Nomination Forms:

English: https://forms.gle/wpaKXowhyYruVpyJ6

Spanish: https://forms.gle/XGaqo6jPdWrMDkjL8

In considering residents’ requests, the Medford will rank proposals using criteria including but not limited to:

1. Streets within "environmental justice areas"
2. Public streets (vs. private ways)
3. Streets that have been reported as high-speed zones to the Traffic Commission
4. Ensure that requests are spread throughout the city and not clustered within a few specific areas

The Shared Streets program would include signs at the street entrance; no permanent or temporary furniture will be added to the street during the pilot program. Local traffic, deliveries and emergency vehicles will still have access to the street, but it will discourage through-traffic and prioritize the safe use of pedestrians and bicyclists.

If you have questions, please contact Miranda Briseño in the Office of Community Development at ocd@medford-ma.gov, or 781-393-2480.