Town staff presented a consolidated update March 11 on multiple, interrelated projects in and around Needham Center: (1) a proposed Highland Avenue reconstruction submitted to the Boston MPO/TIP, (2) the Envision Needham Center Great Plain Avenue redesign (including a possible pilot “road diet”), (3) an MBTA quiet‑zone diagnostic and upgrades at five crossings, and (4) a small state bottleneck grant to upgrade traffic detection at key intersections.

Highland Avenue reconstruction (TIP)

Staff described Highland Avenue South as a spine project that would redesign intersections, drainage and the multimodal corridor from the existing TIP work down toward Dedham Avenue. The project targets four signalized intersections with low operational ratings and significant crash history at Hillside and West; staff said the state has expressed interest and that once design reaches 25% the town will have clearer timing. Staff estimated typical TIP program schedules could place construction several years out (5–7 years), although some intersection work might be accelerated should funding or schedule windows open.

Envision Needham Center and pilot project

The Great Plain Avenue redesign — part of the Envision Needham Center program — would seek to reduce bottlenecks, improve pedestrian and economic activity and add drainage improvements. Staff proposed a summer pilot using paint, temporary posts and jersey barriers to simulate a road diet (one travel lane each direction, protected median) and to trial temporary signal changes; the pilot is intended to be reversible and to provide data for a later permanent build.

MBTA quiet‑zone and rail crossing upgrades

The town has scheduled a pre‑diagnostic meeting with the MBTA and consultants to evaluate five crossings and identify necessary upgrades to remove the default train horn requirement. Staff said the quiet‑zone work directly intersects with the Great Plain Ave design: a temporary flex‑post median may satisfy quiet‑zone requirements in the near term while the permanent median would be handled as part of the Envision Needham design. Staff warned that many of the MBTA signal components are in poor condition and will likely require replacement as part of any permit and upgrade.

Bottleneck grant: adaptive detection and signal coordination

A separate state bottleneck pilot grant would upgrade camera/detection systems at three downtown intersections to improve signal coordination and allow adaptive phasing. Staff said the new detection technology enables finer detection zones, adaptive timing and improved coordination across signals, which can reduce downtown delay and respond to incidents or train movements.

Community and next steps

Board members asked about timelines, tree conflicts, streetscape tradeoffs (separated bike lanes vs mature street trees) and how pilot work would affect local traffic patterns. Staff said the pilot is intended for this summer if design and funding align; Highland Avenue TIP work is further out and will require 25% design before the state manages construction. The MBTA diagnostic is scheduled and will identify gate/cabinet replacement needs.

Why this matters

The four projects are interdependent: intersection improvements, quiet‑zone feasibility, downtown traffic flow and multimodal redesigns all affect one another. The town framed the effort as a coordinated approach rather than independent projects so solutions can be sequenced to reduce duplication and better use grant funding when available.