Newton Launches $3.5M Project To Redesign Washington Street

NEWTON, MA — The City of Newton is launching a $3.5 million pilot project to redesign a stretch of Washington Street from West Newton Square to Newton Corner along the Mass Pike.

The goal of the pilot is to make the roadway safer for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists, support public transportation, and create a more vibrant and welcoming boulevard for businesses and their customers, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said.

"This is one of the most important transportation corridors in the City, serving many businesses and residents along its route,” Fuller said in a Sept. 15 statement. "Currently, the corridor is not very attractive or safe. Along many sections, it is wide with four travel lanes and two parking lanes. Cars and trucks drive at high speeds. It has no bicycle facilities and unappealing pedestrian accommodations."

In May, the City Council approved $500,000 to design the first phase of a “complete streets” redesign on Washington Street. Last month, Fuller allocated an additional $3 million in ARPA funds to construct the pilot program once the design is completed.

When the design is complete, the city will pilot a realignment of the Washington Street corridor from Chestnut Street to Lowell Avenue in between West Newton Square and Newtonville, Fuller said. The realignment will likely redesign the road from four to two travel lanes and add turn lanes where needed, Fuller said. it will also maintain as much parking as possible and add bike lanes.

After the pilot, the city will apply the design principles that work well to the entire length of Washington Street along the Mass Pike.

The long-term goals for the area include adding street lights, outdoor benches, more plants, better stormwater management, pedestrian crossings, dedicated bike lanes, and more.

Fuller’s ARPA investment will not fund the entire project, but will allow the city to complete Phase 1a and 1b, which include designing and implementing the pilot and creating a plan for a state-funded, phased approach to the complete reconstruction of the street.