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City says flex posts will be installed on McGrath Highway this construction season; heavier separators remain a longer‑term goal

2385946 · February 25, 2025

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Summary

Mobility staff told the committee MassDOT’s resurfacing project on McGrath Highway will include a lane reduction and installation of hundreds of flex posts this construction season; city officials said they continue to press MassDOT for heavier, permanent separators and noted a larger McGrath reconstruction planned later in the decade.

The traffic and parking committee discussed pedestrian safety improvements on McGrath Highway and the planned installation of flex posts to separate reduced travel lanes.

Director Rawson said MassDOT’s resurfacing project includes lane reductions on McGrath that provide pedestrian safety benefits and that flex posts are in the contractor’s contract and currently scheduled for installation this coming construction season. Rawson said the city prefers spring installation but could accept fall if necessary; staff are advocating for earlier installation.

Councilor Wilson and Councilor Burnley raised concerns that flex posts are less robust than concrete separators and asked about city conversations with MassDOT. Rawson said Somerville officials and the state delegation have advocated for heavier, permanent separators but that MassDOT has treated the current deployment as a pilot using lower‑cost, easier‑to‑install flex posts. He said the longer‑term McGrath reconstruction—cited in the meeting as an approximately $130 million project currently scheduled to start in 2028—would be the likely venue for more durable separators.