Vassar Street Safety Improvement Project

Project Overview

The Department of Transportation is installing separated bike lanes and related street safety improvements on Vassar Street, from Memorial Drive to Amherst Alley, in August 2025.

See below for a map of the project area.

Map of Vassar Street scope of work (Memorial Drive to Amherst Alley)

More about this project

This work is being done as part of the City’s Cycling Safety Ordinance. The main goal of this project is to install separated bike lanes on each side of the street and connect them to the sidewalk-level separated bike lanes at the eastern project limit using quick-build materials, such as flex-posts and pavement markings. Other improvements being planned or considered in this project include:

Installing protected bike lanes from Memorial Drive to the existing sidewalk-level lanes near Amherst Alley.
Removing some metered parking spots to make room for the protected bike lanes.
Encouraging safer travel speeds by narrowing travel lanes, installing vertical flex-posts, and rearranging the street elements.
Improving bicycle wayfinding to help cyclists access the Paul Dudley White bike path and get to and from Boston.

The final design can be found below.

Project Plans

The Vassar Street Safety Improvement Project can be thought of in three sections:

Section A

Memorial Drive to 353 Vassar Street

Vassar Street is narrower in this short section. Street Cross Section diagram

Section B

353 Vassar Street to Amesbury

Vassar Street widens in this section compared to the section near Memorial Drive. Street Cross Section diagram

Section C

Amesbury Street to Amherst Alley

This section of Vassar Street already has a sidewalk-level cycle track on the north side. Street Cross Section diagram

The final plans for the project are also available. We collected feedback on the plans via our comment form and email/phone from May to July of 2025. These plans reflect the changes we made in response to the community feedback we received. Click here to view the plans at a higher resolution. Click here to view the plans at a higher resolution.

Get Involved

Comment Form

The official comment period has now closed. Contact the project manager with any additional feedback or questions.

Email Updates

Past Meetings

August 2025 Virtual Information Session

On August 6, 2025, the project team presented their final design and highlighted the changes made based on community feedback. They then reviewed the installation timeline and went over any traffic and parking impacts during installation. This was followed by a Q+A with the project team.

Click here to view the slideshow presented. A recording of the presentation will be posted to the website soon.

May 8 Open House at MIT

On May 8, 2025 at the MIT Graduate Junction residence hall at 299 Vassar Street from 4:30-6:30 PM, we shared plans for separated bike lanes and related street safety improvements on Vassar Street from Memorial Drive to Amherst Alley. The event was a drop-by event with informational posters, a large roll plan with a chance for feedback, and food!

View Open House Boards

More Project Information

August 2025 Installation Update

August 2025 Installation Update: Street signs and meter adjustments are already underway.

Here’s what to expect:

Week of August 18:

Parking Restrictions: Beginning Monday morning, parking restrictions will be in effect and will remain in place until the project is mostly completed. Signs will be posted in advance.
Overnight Work: Crews will grind out existing pavement markings and apply new striping overnight.

Week of August 25:

Overnight Work: Crews will be installing flex posts and completing final touches.
Bus Stop Change: On Monday, August 25, the MBTA CT2 stop will move from Amesbury Street to Vassar Street.

Draft Roll Plan

April 2025 Draft Roll Plan

Vassar Plan Roll Plan image for website