Mobility staff to evaluate safe Lowell Street crossing near Bailey Park; speed‑hump and crosswalk studies planned
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Summary
The committee directed city mobility and engineering staff to evaluate traffic calming and a safe pedestrian crossing of Lowell Street at Bailey Park, with data collection and sight‑line analysis planned in the spring; staff noted constraints including steep grades, emergency response routing and curb‑ramp requirements for new crosswalks.
Councilors pressed the Department of Mobility to develop plans for a safe pedestrian crossing of Lowell Street at Bailey Park and additional traffic calming between Summer Street and Highland Avenue.
Director Rawson said the department is evaluating the corridor and will collect speed data and perform sight‑line analysis during its spring data collection effort. He said Lowell Street is steep in places, is used as an emergency response route by Somerville Fire Department and that crosswalk installation requires accessible curb ramps and compliant sidewalk grades. Those technical constraints mean staff will first analyze options and coordinate with Fire before committing to a specific installation or speed‑hump profile.
Rawson said older, large speed humps on the corridor may be modified to smaller profiles where necessary for emergency access and that the department will include Lowell Street in upcoming speed‑hump proposals. Councilors noted a stalled development at 125 Lowell (the former nursing school) could create curb‑cut opportunities; staff agreed to review permit conditions and whether the project’s permit conditions include sidewalks or curb modifications. The committee marked the item complete pending the spring evaluation and follow‑up updates.