Commonwealth Carriageway Project – The Ward 4 City Councilors have organized a Zoom meeting for Monday, April 25th at 5:30 p.m. regarding the Commonwealth Carriageway Project. Join the Zoom meeting, here. The Commonwealth Carriageway Project, funded through MassDOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program ($5.9 million confirmed for FY2023) is designed to create new green space and add a continuous pedestrian and bicycle path. The project would reroute car traffic from north of the median to the south. According to the City’s project website: “Project benefits include: a) increase the overall amount of green space b) link myriad trail networks including the Charles River Path, the Riverside Greenway trail network (in development), and Weston’s planned shared use path, currently at 25% design, running along Commonwealth Ave from the Newton to Natick borders, d) increase visibility and access to the Charles River at the historic boathouse e) improve transit access in the area by upgrading bus stops.”
MassDOT law does not allow installation of a signal that does not meet traffic warrants. If the City reconstructs Ash Street following MassDOT guidelines, they would also need to seek approval from MassDOT for future installation of the signal. If the City reconstructs Ash Street separate from the project, the City would not recommend the installation of a traffic signal at Ash because it does not meet signal warrants. That is an issue for Islington Peninsula residents because they currently rely on the light at Ash Street in order to make left hand turning movements on the Commonwealth Avenue.
- Public Facilities/ Public Safety and Transportation 4/20/22
- Presentation – MassDOT 25% Design Public Hearing, 3/3/22
- Presentation – Pre-25% Design and Ash Concepts, 9/9/21
- Presentation – Community Preservation Commission, 9/15/20
- Presentation, Concept Design Public Meeting 10/18/2019
- Presentation, MassDOT to Public Facilities, Commonwealth Avenue @ Auburn Street, 11/18/2020
