Medford Bringing Back Shared Streets Program

MEDFORD, MA — The city is bringing back its residential Shared Streets program to reduce through-traffic and prioritize certain neighborhoods for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Medford piloted the program on three streets during the pandemic last year. It is reopening the application process due to resident request.

In order to be selected, nominated streets should show strong support from people who live on and around the street. The nomination form is available at https://bit.ly/medford-shared-streets21. Nominations for the first round are open through July 21.

Due to a limited amount of equipment, the city may not be able to accommodate all nominated streets, but will select streets from a variety of neighborhoods to the greatest extent possible. Secondary and side streets will be considered only; main streets will not qualify for the program.

Shared streets are temporary interventions with cones and signage to give people more space to get around in their neighborhoods car-free and safely. Local traffic, deliveries, and emergency vehicles will still have access to the street, but these interventions look to discourage through-traffic and prioritize the safe use of streets for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Five streets will be selected for the initial round of residential Shared Streets in 2021. The city anticipates opening a subsequent round to support a few more streets depending on the equipment available.

Selected streets are available for all to use, even if they do not live on the street. Streets that are chosen will be given the necessary materials and signs to indicate the designation as a "Shared Street," but police enforcement will not be present. Instead, neighbors are encouraged to remind one another of the changes to their street.

In considering residents' requests, the city plans to rank proposals using criteria including but not limited to:

1. Streets within "environmental justice areas"
2. Public streets (vs. private ways)
3. Streets that have been reported as high-speed zones to the Traffic Commission
4. Ensure that requests are spread throughout the city and not clustered within a few specific areas
5. Streets that were not selected for the Residential Shared Streets program in 2020

Medford's Shared Streets program on residential streets will include signs at the entrance to the street. No permanent or temporary furniture will be added during the pilot program.

If you have any questions about this program please reach out to Anna Cornish in the Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability at ocd@medford-ma.gov.