Schedule Update: Installation of Bus Lanes and Separated Bike Lanes on South Mass Ave

Update 5/20/2022: The City of Cambridge and MBTA will begin the installation of additional bus lanes and separated bike lanes on Sunday, 5/23/2022. Click here to view news update.

The City of Cambridge collected feedback on a proposal to install a continuous bus lane for buses traveling toward Boston on Massachusetts Avenue between Douglass Street and Memorial Drive. We are also required to install additional segments of separated bike lanes by the Cambridge Cycling Safety Ordinance. Community feedback was solicited through the City’s website, daily e-mail updates, and flyers that were distributed and posted on the street. After reviewing and considering the feedback that was received, we will move forward with installation beginning on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. All work is weather dependent. Installation will include minor paving followed by changes to traffic patterns.

New Traffic Patterns & Required Separated Bike Lanes

The continuous bus lane on Mass Ave and the additional separated bike lanes improve the bus lanes and separated bike lanes created by the South Mass Ave Corridor Safety Improvements project. Dedicated bus lanes make MBTA buses, school buses, and shuttles more reliable. They also provide space for emergency vehicles to get around traffic. Separated bike lanes create a space that is physically separated from vehicle traffic, which improves safety and comfort for people biking.

The new sections of dedicated bus lane and separated bike lanes will make use of the existing space on the street and will require the City to:

• Relocate a food truck at 77 Mass Ave
• Reorganize some accessible parking and loading zones in front of 77 Mass Ave
• Ban the left turn on Central Square-bound Mass Ave to southbound Vassar St
• Remove 4 metered parking spots between Windsor and Vassar Streets in front of 181 Mass Ave

We considered moving the northbound bus stop at Albany from the northeast to the northwest corner. Based on concerns raised in the public's feedback, we will maintain the current location of the northbound bus stop at Albany Street.

The City will also repave a short section of Mass Ave between Albany and Vassar Streets as part of this work. We have updated the graphics presented during the public feedback period to show all these proposed changes. You can view those graphics at the bottom of this webpage.

Cross-section drawings of Massachusetts Avenue at several locations facing toward Central Square

North of Sidney Street | Lafayette Square - Click here to view larger image

South of Sidney Street and South of Albany Street - Click here to view larger image

South of mid-block crossing between 77 and 84 Mass Ave | At a bus stop - Click here to view larger image

Plan drawings of Massachusetts Avenue between Douglass Street and Memorial Drive

Between Douglass and Sidney Streets - Click here to view larger image

Between Sidney and Blanche Streets - Click here to view larger image

Between Windsor Street and the Grand Junction railroad - Click here to view larger image

Between the Grand Junction railroad and the mid-block pedestrian crossing at 77 and 84 Mass Ave - Click here to view larger image

Between the mid-block pedestrian crossing at 77 and 84 Mass Ave and Memorial Drive - Click here to view larger image