Arlington Select Board Approves Shared Streets Pilot

ARLINGTON, MA – The Arlington Select Board approved the weeklong shared streets pilot project for Brooks Avenue at its May 18 meeting. The initiative will go into effect Wednesday afternoon.

Brooks Avenue will be closed to through traffic, along with the following streets between Brooks Avenue and Herbert Road: Chandler Street, Egerton Road, Melrose Street, Milton Street, and Varnum Street. The purpose of the project is to provide more street space for people to socially distance from one another while walking, biking, and using other active modes of travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

The pilot will enable the use of street space, usually dedicated to vehicles, for walking and active travel. Vehicles will be allowed, but drivers will need to follow signs urging them to go slowly along streets. Other temporary traffic-calming elements will be tested during the pilot.

People walking and biking should cover their faces with a mask and maintain social distancing. Congregating and crowding on the shared streets will be prohibited. The street may be used as an alternate path for Minuteman Bikeway users between Lake Street and Varnum Street but is otherwise not a destination for residents who live outside the neighborhood.

Local traffic, as well as emergency and delivery vehicles, will continue to be allowed to use the streets. Gateway treatments at Brooks Avenue and Lake Street, and Hebert Road at Egerton Road, Milton Street, and Varnum Street, will have signs indicating the street is shared and the entrances will be narrowed. On-street parking will be maintained.

Arlington is using a quick build model for the pilot, allowing for flexibility, the ability to adapt or reverse the pilot if needed, and to easily remove pilot materials. During the weeklong pilot, data will be collected and the effectiveness and potential for future expansion throughout the town will be evaluated.

If the project proves successful, the town will consider implementing it in other neighborhoods. Nominate a street here: https://forms.gle/1omhmwqHtuTnjqrXA.

For more information, please contact Daniel Amstutz, Senior Transportation Planner in Arlington’s Department of Planning & Community Development at 781-316-3093 or damstutz@town.arlington.ma.us.