Brattle Street Safety Improvement Project

We held a second community meeting for the Brattle Street Safety Improvement Project on June 21, 2022, over Zoom. The meeting focused on Phase 1 of the project -- the portion of Brattle Street between Mason Street and Sparks Street. City staff shared preliminary plans for adding separated bicycle lanes and improving safety at intersections in this area. 

Meeting Materials

• Click here to download the slides shared at the meeting.
• Click here to watch a recording of the meeting.

Meeting Update

Please review the slides and/or watch the recording above for a full overview of what was discussed at the meeting.

A mock-up of what a two-way separated bike lane with pre-cast concrete curbs could look like in front of Longfellow House.

Updates included:

• A draft design for a two-way separated bike lane between Mason Street and Sparks Street, allowing for parking on one side of the street.
• Information on the types of separation that will be used. For Phase 1, we expect to be able to use pre-cast concrete curbs with flex posts.
• Information on traffic calming and speed reduction. This project will narrow the roadway for drivers physically and visually. A similar project on Cambridge Street saw a reduction in speeds of about 25 percent. 
• Draft designs for bike lanes, loading zones, and parking at specific blocks:
  • Mason Street to Hawthorn Street
  • Hawthorn Street to Longfellow Park
  • Longfellow Park to Willard Street
  • Willard Street to Brown Street
  • Brown Street to Craigie Street
• Preliminary plans for crossing and intersection improvements. These include curb modifications at Longfellow Park and refreshed crosswalk markings.
• Preliminary plans for short-term intersection improvements at the intersection of Sparks Street, Craigie Street, and Brattle Street. The proposed improvements create two distinct intersections. 

Contact us if you have questions or thoughts about these draft designs! 

On Tuesday, May 3 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., we held the first community meeting for the project

During the meeting, we:

• discussed the goals and objectives of the project
• reviewed background information, including the Cambridge Bicycle Plan and the Vision Zero Action Plan
• shared the timeline for the project
• provided an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments

This meeting was held virtually over Zoom.

Click here to view the slides from the meeting.

Installation Schedule

Late Summer 2022: Install Phase 1: Mason Street to Sparks Street
Spring/Summer 2023: Install Phase 2: Sparks Street to Mount Auburn Street

Engagement Schedule

May 3, 2022: First Community Meeting

June 21, 2022: Second Community Meeting

• Review plans for Phase 1: Mason Street to Sparks Street

August 2, 2022: Third Community Meeting

• Final review of plans for Phase 1: Mason Street to Sparks Street

• Initial review of plans for Phase 2: Sparks Street to Mount Auburn Street

Fall/Winter 2022: Phase 2 Engagement

• Ongoing community engagement on Phase 2: Sparks Street to Mount Auburn Street

*Note that this schedule is based on the latest information we have. 

Our community feedback survey closed on Friday, June 24, 2022. 

Separated bike lanes that were installed on Brattle Street closer to Harvard Square in 2017. Click here for information on this project.

This project will build on this previous work and extend separated bike lanes the length of Brattle Street to the intersection of Mount Auburn Street.

In 2018, we held a community meeting presentation about long-term improvements at the Brattle Street/Sparks Street/Craigie Street intersection.

As part of that community process, the community selected a roundabout as the preferred alternative for this intersection. Funding for roundabout construction is not identified at the moment in the city's Five Year Plan for Sidewalk and Street reconstruction.

As part of this process, we can install interim improvements at this intersection. We will also refine design and cost estimates for the long-term proposal. We do not have a timeline for work on the roundabout at this time.

Click here to view the presentation slides from that meeting.