About the Program
The City of Cambridge is expanding its traffic calming efforts through a new Speed Hump Pilot Program designed to make residential streets safer and more comfortable for everyone. Funded in part by Participatory Budgeting, where residents voted to dedicate $250,000 toward reducing neighborhood speeding, the program will deliver 48 new speed humps on key residential streets citywide. The first nine speed humps are scheduled for installation in November 2025.
What is a speed hump?
Speed humps are gradual, raised areas of pavement across the roadway designed to slow traffic while maintaining reasonable comfort for drivers and cyclists. They differ from speed bumps commonly found in parking lots by being longer and lower, allowing vehicles to pass over them at safe, reduced speeds.
Why speed humps?
Speed humps:
- Help reduce vehicle speeds on residential streets.
- Can be installed more quickly and widely than traditional traffic calming measures like raised intersections or crosswalks.
- Are proven tools used by many nearby cities to improve safety for all road users.
How are locations selected?
The first speed hump locations were selected based on prior requests from residents and the Cambridge City Council, serving as an initial pilot. Moving forward, new locations will be evaluated using both community-submitted traffic calming requests and several criteria, including:
- Traffic data (vehicle speeds and volumes),
- Street width and grade,
- Proximity to schools, hospitals and other sensitive land uses
- Crash history
- Part of a primary or secondary emergency response route
Fall 2025 Installations
Based on prior requests from residents and the Cambridge City Council, and identification of on-going safety issues, piloted installation of speed humps is coming in November 2025 on the following streets:
- Dover Street – 1 speed hump
- Between City Line and Mass Ave
- Lakeview Avenue – 2 speed humps
- Between Malcolm Rd and Worthington St
- Field Street and Garden Street (near Universal Playground) – 3 speed humps
- Field St (2 speed humps) between Fern St and Alpine St
- Garden Street near Alpine Street
- Reservoir Street – 1 speed hump
- Between Huron Ave and Vassal Lane
- Walden Street – 2 speed humps
- Between Vassal Lane and Concord Ave
Click on the street links above to view an approximate location of the Speed Hump placement. Construction signage, pavement markings, and warning signs will be posted in advance in each neighborhood. Those wishing to provide us with feedback can fill out this feedback form.
Installation was previously scheduled for October 2025. As of November 12, 2025, work is now expected to take place during the week of November 17. Please watch for posted street signs and follow all instructions during this time.