Somerville Adding New Shared Streets Route

SOMERVILLE, MA — The Shared Streets program in Somerville will add a new route Thursday, Sept. 3 in Davis Square. The program opens up low-volume or residential side streets to pedestrians, cyclists and other users, while allowing vehicular access for residents who live on the street or who need to use the street to get to their homes, their guests and service vehicles such as first responders, delivery drivers, sanitation trucks, and street sweepers.

The new route will include Morrison Avenue, Winslow Avenue and Clifton Street between Morrison and Winslow. This new Shared Streets route joins a network of routes opened over the summer throughout the city that help residents safely get outside and reach essential services.

A map of Shared Streets routes can be found at https://somervoice.somervillema.gov/covid19mobility. Feedback on routes can also be submitted on SomerVoice.

Safety measures along Shared Streets routes include signs and flexible barriers to alert all users to the shared use of these streets. Somerville's program will use temporary materials that can be modified based on experience and feedback from residents with the pilot.

Seven new "pinch points" will be installed along Morrison Avenue to narrow traffic down to one lane, slowing vehicles and making the road safer for all users. Signs will alert motorists when a pinch point is coming up, so they can yield tor other vehicles if needed.

Motorists allowed to use a shared street, such as abutters, should drive slowly and expect to see people in the street on these routes. People walking, rolling, and biking should remain alert and aware and make room for these allowed vehicles. Please note that cyclists, using caution, can ride in either direction on a Shared Streets route.