State Gives $250K For Complete Streets Improvements In Brookline

BROOKLINE, MA – As part of an effort to make streets safer for pedestrians and bikers in town, the Baker Administration announced it was awarding Brookline a grant of nearly $250,000.

The award is part of a nearly $3 million Complete Streets Funding Program the state is awarding to 11 communities, according to an announcement. The state defines a “Complete Street” as one that promises to provide safe and accessible options for all travel modes and for all people, taking into account the ages and abilities.

Brookline will receive $234,968 for town wide safety improvements to that end, including the installation of pedestrian signals, new ADA compliant curb ramps, accessible pedestrian signals, high visibility crosswalks, bicycle lanes and bicycle boxes at the intersections of Babcock Street and Harvard Street and Beacon Street at Harvard Street.

The funding will also go to construct curb extensions and ADA compliant curb ramps at the Longwood Avenue at Harvard Street intersection, as well as tightening curb radii to create safer and shorter crossings for people walking and reduce vehicle turning speeds.

ADA compliant curb ramps, pedestrian signals, and crosswalks will also be installed at the intersection of Harvard Avenue and Harvard Street, Vernon Street at Harvard Street and Washington Street at Greensborough Street to allow people walking to be more visible to drivers.

“The Complete Streets program enables local leaders to invest in projects that will have the greatest impact in their communities,” said Gov. Charlie Baker in a release. “This round of Complete Streets funding awards will support 11 municipalities as they improve their infrastructure for a variety of transportation options, including walking, riding a bicycle and public transportation.”

The Complete Streets Funding Program was begun by the Baker-Polito Administration on February 1, 2016. To date, the administration has earmarked some $33 million to go to the 187 municipalities that have approved policies and 136 have approved Prioritization Plans.

During the five-year period that began last July, MassDOT expects to spend more than $7.6 billion on roadway and bridge construction projects, including the Municipal Small Bridge and Complete Streets Funding Programs.

“Complete Streets are important because multimodal street designs ensure that people can reach the places they need to go in a safe and reliable manner regardless of what mode of transportation they utilize," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack in a release.

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