Cost estimated at $700,000
Concept of Lake/bikeway intersection from July. / Green International Affiliates
UPDATED, Oct. 23: Critical commuters — cyclists and drivers — had much to say at the 75-percent hearing for the Lake Street/bikeway project on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Of the 22 people who spoke among the estimated 40 in Town Hall, none gave glowing support to the safety project, Word on the Street, three years in the making. Sixteen raised questions, and six opposed going forward.
Watch ACMi video >>
A number asked about cost. Among them, Adam Auster, who writes an informative blog about town transportation issues, was told his question was not appropriate for the forum.
Corey Rateau, a town police officer who handles traffic questions, said, “It’s not right to bring up funds.” He said Jason Sobel, the consultant handling questions that night, was prepared to discuss only design.
Apart from cost, others suggested that the project was inappropriate for Complete Streets funds. A Complete Street is one that provides safe and accessible options for all travel modes — walking, biking, transit and vehicles — for people of all ages and abilities. Find out what that state program is here >>
Asked about the costs, Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine wrote Oct. 18 that the current project budget estimate is approximately $700,000. The maximum amount for a Complete Streets grant is $400,000, and that is the amount that the town has requested.
“As I stated at the outset last night, even if awarded the grant, we still need to work toward identifying additional resources in order to implement the project,” he wrote.
Unexpected responses
Among the many questions were a number from those who have objected to the project in the past. Others were from the unexpected, from cycling supporters.
David Watson — who is a transportation consultant, former head of MassBike and a member of the Redevelopment Board — expressed his concerns. He said the “process functions pretty well now … [and] nothing will reduce backups.”
He said the project is inconsistent with Complete Streets, adding that “motorist convenience is the priority.”
A speaker who said he is a cyclist lives at the intersection of Lake and the Minuteman said current pattern works for him. He said he is “flabbergasted” that the town is seeking a “nuclear solution to a surgical problem.”
Chad Gibson, a leader of the East Arlington Liveable Streets Coalition and cyclist, was among those saying Complete Streets is not an appropriate way to pay for the project. The issues with the intersection arose, he said, “because people don’t like sitting in traffic.”
Auster, who commutes by car on Lake Street and is a cyclist, said he appreciated the care which all involved, including the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), have pursued solutions. He said his earlier enthusiasm for the project has been tempered. “How much changed?” he wondered.
Rebuffed on learning about cost, he expressed support for the high-quality of the proposed median — unlike what was used on the Mass. Ave. project in East Arlington.
A speaker named Bill, a longtime cyclist who lives on Pleasant Street and has done his own traffic survey, said, “I think you do have a problem.” He noted darkness in right side as you head toward Center.
Intermediate steps
A woman from Lombard Terrace who commute by bicycle said she thought cyclists should stop, but wondered what would compel them to dismount. She called for intermediate steps before spending $400,000.
She referred to confusion among drivers, cyclists and pedestrian as to how each group reacts to the HAWK light at Swan Place in the Center. With that light, she said, the town does not have a good track record on traffic fixes.
She also wondered whether the time allowed would be sufficient for all cyclists to cross Lake.
Officer Rateau said the bikeway intersection is known as a trail crossing, and there is no requirement to dismount. You have to do so if you want to become a pedestrian.
Sobel said, under a TAC evaluation, the average delay is 20 seconds. If a cyclist does not cross, he or she waits for 40 to 45 seconds.
Brian Ristucchia, a cyclist, suggested TAC look at design, and not just signs, for improvement.
Adam Linoff of Colonial Drive expressed concern about delays on Lake that encourage neighborhood cut-throughs.
Sobel said a project goal is not to fix cut-throughs on Brooks Avenue.
Objections
Some who objected to the project in July were back.
One was Gene F. O’neill of Spy Pond Parkway pointed to what he sees as the main issue — cyclists. As he had before, he suggested bollards arranged to slow or stop cyclists. He said in July it would cost much less.
Mark Kaepplein, a Palmer Street resident asked what studies those involved cite showing why cyclists would follow the rules of the road. He and others say cyclists ignore stopping at Lake.
After Sobel, project manager for the transportation group at Green International Affiliates, did not address that question, Kaepplein returned for a second round and asked his question again.
Sobel said enforcement would increase. To that, Kaepplein referred to a study suggesting that slowing vehicle traffic encourages jaywalkers. By extension, he suggested, the same would happen with cyclists.
Joseph Barr of 24 Park St., who in July asked the committee to focus on Brooks/Lake light, did so again, adding not to don’t install signal at the bikeway. Signals increase collisions, he said.
To another speaker who suggested adding a raised crossing area, Sobel said that had been discussed, and those involved had decided to move forward without it.
Bob Radochia offered a comment: “It’s a behavior problem …. I see this at Mill Street,” which he called it the “wild west.”
Goal of project and some details
On a large screen above the Town Hall auditorium stage were the words “Public input meeting: safety improvements.” Sobel said the project goal is to make a safe, predictable crossing for all.
The feedback collected Oct. 17 will be used to fashion the 100-percent design, at a date to be determined.
Chapdelaine said that if the Complete Streets grant does not come through, the town will look into funding through the capital plan.
The design includes traffic signals on Lake at Brooks and the bikeway, with curbing following federal standards for the handicapped.
The two signals are hardwired to “talk” to one another, and not conflict; that is, show two greens at the same time. They are activated during peak traffic hours.
To address vehicle speeds on Lake speed limits of 30 mph are posted, with 20 mph in the school zone, from Margaret to Randolph.
A left-turn arrow northbound from Brooks to Lake.
A digital speed-limit readout will show a vehicle’s speed on Lake.
Seven-foot bike lanes at Lake are asphalt, with concrete sidewalks on either side
Measures will prevent cars and trucks from turning onto the bikeway.
All users will be detected via video.
Sobel said the designers admit congestion on Lake will continuem with a 15-minute travel time from Rt. 2 to Mass. Ave.
View the design plan for the intersection at the Design Review Committee page.
Read overview of the latest plan in Adam Auster’s Word on the Street | Opinion: Winners, losers
June 30, 2017: Targeting safety, new bikeway/Lake design draws variety of views
ACMi broadcast of July 26 hearing
July 26 slide show online
Feb.-Jan. 2016: emails, memo
Design review committee, appointed Jan. 17
This news announcement was published Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, and updated Oct. 23, to add ACMi video link.
