Natick Gets Complete Streets Funding Program Award

NATICK, MA—Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito joined Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, Peabody Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr, members of the Massachusetts Legislature, municipal officials and stakeholders at a ceremony in Peabody to celebrate the most recent round of Complete Streets grants in which $7 million was awarded to 24 communities and recognize the milestone of half of all cities and towns across the Commonwealth putting in place formal policies encouraging the advancement of Complete Streets infrastructure, said an announcement.

A “Complete Street” is one that provides safe and accessible options for travelers of all ages and abilities including bicyclists, pedestrians, public transit users, and people using other forms of transportation. The Baker-Polito Administration has now awarded a total of approximately $30 million in construction funding for 103 projects since creating a funding program for Complete Streets in February 2016.

From it, Natick receives $204,424 to make pedestrian and bicycle improvements to the Campus Street and West Street corridor and the Newfield Drive corridor such as widening sidewalks and adding street lights. This will allow for safer and easier access from Natick High School and area recreation areas and neighborhoods, and improved access from the West Natick MBTA Station to local neighborhoods.

“The investments in these communities are just a few examples of how we are partnering with municipalities to strengthen the transportation system and increase access to jobs, businesses, schools, and economic opportunities throughout local neighborhoods,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement. “With half of the Commonwealth’s communities participating in Complete Streets projects, we are continuing to make progress to improve transportation infrastructure in our cities and towns.”

The Complete Streets Funding Program was launched on February 1, 2016. To date, 176 municipalities have approved policies and 116 have approved Prioritization Plans. Examples of projects that can be addressed through the program include improved street lighting, radar speed signage, intersection signalization, new multi-modal paths and new signals at crosswalks.

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