Recent Streetsblog MASS posts about Street Design

Flooding on Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester during a "king tide" event

On Morrissey Boulevard, A Flood of Plans, But Little Action

By Christian MilNeil | May 15, 2023 | No Comments

The lack of consensus around the future of Morrissey Boulevard and the adjacent Kosciuszko Circle (the dangerous rotary where Morrissey, Day Boulevard, Old Colony Avenue, and Mt. Vernon Street all intersect) represents a considerable risk factor for the city's plans to create a new transit-oriented neighborhood on the Red Line.

A street sign in French reads "30 km/h" next to a green traffic light; below that, a larger photo of a young girl wearing a backpack is next to a yellow speech bubble that says "ralentissez pour ma securite," or "slow down for my safety." A school bus and a green traffic light are visible behind the sign in the background.

Steal This Idea: In Québec, A New Traffic Light Only Turns Green for Safe Drivers

By Christian MilNeil | May 5, 2023 | 3 Comments

The light is red by default, but turns green when an attached speed camera detects an approaching motor vehicle that's driving under the speed limit.

A freshly-paved street with new bicycle lane markings. On the other side of the street a woman on a bicycle rides past a bus stop. Beyond the bus stop are several large trees budding with new leaves.

Eyes On the Street: New Protected Bike Lanes In Jamaica Plain

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 27, 2023 | No Comments

The street was recently repaved, and over the last few days, city workers have been painting new lane markings and installing flexible-post bollards to delineate a new protected bike lane.

A view from City Hall of Northampton's pilot Maimn Street redesign in the summer of 2020. Complaints from business owners led the city to discontinue the temporary street reconfiguration after only a few weeks. Photo by Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz.

Main Street Project Would Widen Sidewalks, Create Protected Bike Lanes In Downtown Northampton

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 12, 2023 | No Comments

Later this month, the City of Northampton and MassDOT will present plans to renovate one of the most walkable Main Streets in western Massachusetts with widened sidewalks and protected bike lanes. “The ultimate goal is to reallocate that tremendous amount of right-of-way on Main Street to provide safer spaces for people to walk and linger […]

A graded gravel path under construction runs underneath a highway bridge next to a concrete bridge abutment. To the right of the abutment and below the trail are some railroad tracks.

The Northern Strand Trail Is Growing In Lynn and Everett

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 7, 2023 | No Comments

Construction has finally begun on a short connection under the Revere Beach Parkway, and when complete, the Northern Strand Trail will have a continuous path to the Mystic riverfront in Everett.

A view of a sidewalk-level bike lane running alongside newly planted sidewalk trees through a neighborhood of historic brick buildings. In the distance a downtown Boston skyscraper is visible.

Buses Get Pushed to the Side in Boston’s Latest Design for Summer Street

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 6, 2023 | No Comments

Under the administration of former mayor Marty Walsh, Boston had proposed a center-running dedicated busway on Summer Street to connect South Boston, the Seaport District, South Station, and the downtown financial district. Revised plans call for a shared bus-and-truck lane that will run on the side of the street instead.

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