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Mass. Ave. Better Bike Project

We are designing a safe, comfortable biking facility to connect Dorchester, Roxbury, and the South End. 

We began planning this corridor with you in September 2019. The final design reflects comments and feedback from nearby residents, business owners, and people who use this corridor.

Construction began in summer, 2022. Our contractor began by adding and improving curb ramps so that they will be fully accessible to people using assistive devices like wheelchairs or walkers. After pausing for the winter construction moratorium, they recommenced work this spring on bus boarding islands, ramps, and other sidewalk elements. 



They are now finishing the remaining work in the following order: 

  • Complete the remaining bus islands, ramps, and other sidewalk elements (June)
  • Mill and pave roadway segments (early July)
  • Permanently stripe pavement markings, implement changes to traffic signals and signs (mid-July)
  • Install flex-posts and pre-cast concrete barriers (late July)

We expect construction to wrap up in mid-August.

A sketch of the proposed two-way bicycle facility on Massachusetts Avenue south of Melnea Cass. The sketch shows two travel lanes heading away from us, with a truck in the left lane. People are riding bikes in both directions in a bike lane along the right side of the street. People walk on the sidewalk.

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    Transportation
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Final Plans

Our final design includes:

  • A two-way separated bike lane on the west side of Massachusetts Avenue
  • New crosswalks and reconstructed curb ramps to improve accessibility for people with disabilities
  • Changes to intersections to improve safety and keep vehicle traffic moving
  • Improved bus stops along the corridor, including a new pair of bus stops near the Stop and Shop driveway
  • Modified loading and parking regulations in response to local business needs

We made changes to the design plans based on feedback from people who work, live, and use the corridor. We have a document that explains and summarizes these changes:

Design changes

We have illustrated the final design plans for Massachusetts Avenue between Melnea Cass Boulevard and Columbia Road. Our illustration includes information about the bike lanes, bus stops, new and reconstructed curb ramps, parking and loading areas, and travel lanes.

View the Final Design

WHY THIS PROJECT?

The section of Mass. Ave. between Melnea Cass and Columbia Road is a critical missing link for bike travel.

Despite less-than-ideal bike conditions, a lot of people bike on Mass. Ave. today! Between 350 and 400 people ride in the street each weekday, and that doesn’t include the many people riding on the sidewalks. It’s scary for biking and walking and — all too often — it's dangerous too. Mass. Ave. is one of the worst streets in the City for crashes involving people walking and biking.

For these reasons, you identified Mass. Ave. as a priority Better Bike Corridor through the Go Boston 2030 process.

View of Massachusetts Avenue from Columbia Road

Past events

Past events

We met with the Newmarket Business Association regularly as we developed and then refined the project design. 

DATE TIME LOCATION MEETING MATERIALS
Monday, July 29, 2019 9 a.m. City Hall NA
Monday, February 10, 2020 1 p.m. NBA Offices DownloaD Presentation 
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 2:30 p.m. Google Meet DownloaD Presentation 
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 2 p.m. Google Meet DownloaD Presentation 
Thursday, July 9, 2020 2:30 p.m. Google Meet DownloaD Presentation 
Thursday, August 20, 2020 9 a.m. Google Meet DownloaD Presentation 

We followed-up one-on-one with project abutters to share the proposed design and hear feedback. 

DATE TIME Abutter Meeting Materials
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 9:30 a.m. Victory Programs DownloaD Presentation
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 1 p.m. EDENS (South Bay Shopping Center) DownloaD Presentation
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 2 p.m. Best Western Roundhouse Suites DownloaD Presentation
Friday, May 29, 2020 2:30 p.m. Dorchester Brewing Company, M&M BBQ, Doug George DownloaD Presentation
Friday, June 5, 2020 11:30 a.m. National Development DownloaD Presentation
Monday, June 15, 2020 1:30 p.m. Good Seasons Trading Inc. DownloaD Presentation
Tuesday, July 21, 2020 3 p.m. Dorchester Brewing Company, M&M BBQ, Doug George DownloaD Presentation
Friday, September 25, 2020 9 a.m. Metro Credit Union NA - Field Visit
Thursday, November 12, 2020 12 p.m. EDENS (South Bay Shopping Center) DownloaD Presentation
Friday, November 20, 2020 10 a.m. Metro Credit Union DownloaD Presentation
Monday, January 11, 2021 2 p.m. Good Seasons Trading Inc. NA - Field Visit
Monday, January 25, 2021 10:30 a.m. EDENS (South Bay Shopping Center) DownloaD Presentation

At the request of the Newmarket Business Association, we met with business stakeholders on Shirley Street to discuss changes to the intersection of Mass. Ave. with Shirley Street and Newmarket Square. 

DATE TIME Abutter
Monday, September 28, 2020 10 a.m. Cram Seafood
Thursday, October 1, 2020 10 a.m. Holland Construction
Thursday, October 1, 2020 2:30 p.m. City Fresh Foods
Friday, October 2, 2020 9:30 a.m. A2Z Auto Repair
Wednesday, October 14, 2020 9 a.m. Ryder Trucking
Wednesday, October 14, 2020 1 p.m. Taurus Packing Co.
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 3 p.m. The BASE

Download materials from the meetings:

PRESENTATION

As the City continued to take precautions around public gatherings, we created a Virtual Open House to allow the public to learn more about our draft design plans. We collected feedback via an online survey, email, phone calls, and written letters.

View VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE

Download the Virtual Open House flyer:

VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE FLYER

Before the City of Boston canceled all in-person public meetings, we had scheduled four open house events. We had also planned to coordinate a fifth open house during the weekday working hours in response to a request from the Newmarket Business Association. 

DATE TIME LOCATION
Monday, March 23, 2020 6:30- 8 p.m. Plumbers and Gas Fitters Local 12, 1240 Mass Ave
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 1 p.m. Plumbers and Gas Fitters Local 12, 1240 Mass Ave
Saturday, March 28, 2020 10 a.m. Plumbers and Gas Fitters Local 12, 1240 Mass Ave
Monday, March 30, 2020 1 p.m. Hayes Conference Room, 1010 Mass Ave

We met one-on-one with with project abutters and other stakeholders to understand how they use and experience Mass. Ave. The Newmarket Business Association and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services helped us identify and meet with businesses likely to be most affected by the project.

We also discussed plans for City-owned property along Mass Ave with the City of Boston’s Public Facilities and Property Management departments. We met with the appropriate MBTA teams to discuss bus stops and operations. We meet almost every week with BPDA’s PLAN: Newmarket team to ensure coordination with ongoing development projects as well as the larger PLAN effort.

DATE TIME Abutter
Friday, January 17, 2020 3 p.m. MBTA Bus Priority and Schedule Planning
Thursday, January 23, 2020 1 p.m. Suffolk Construction
Monday, January 22, 2020 10 a.m. Victory Programs
Monday, January 22, 2020 1 p.m. South Bay Auto Body and Ace Plumbing
Monday, January 22, 2020 2:30 p.m. Best Western Roundhouse Suites and DiPierro Construction
Monday, January 22, 2020 9:30 a.m. Boston Cyclists Union
Tuesday, January 28, 2020 3:30 p.m. City of Boston Public Facilities and Property Management
Thursday, February 6, 2020 1 p.m. Dorchester Brewing Company
Monday, February 24, 2020 10 a.m. Boston Cyclists Union
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 1 p.m. Home Run Cafe
Monday, March 16, 2020 10:15 a.m. Boston Public Schools
Monday, April 13, 2020 11:30 a.m. EDENS (South Bay Shopping Center)

Download materials from the meetings:

PROJECT HANDOUT

PROJECT AREA MAP

Project flyer

We asked people to share their experiences traveling on Massachusetts Avenue. We gathered written input during the biking and walking tours and meetings with civic and business associations. We also collected comments via phone, email, and an online form. In total, we heard from over 200 people who live, work, and travel along Massachusetts Avenue. 

We hosted a series of biking and walking tours for the general public, for employees of 1010 Mass. Ave., and for members of the Newmarket Business Association. Our goal was to learn about the experience of people who use the corridor.

DATE TIME AUDIENCE
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 6:30 p.m. General public
Saturday, October 4, 2019 10:30 a.m General public
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 12 p.m. Employees of 1010 Mass. Ave.
Thursday, November 21, 2019 12 p.m. Members of the Newmarket Business Association

Download materials from the biking and walking tours:

Biking and Walking tour of Mass. Ave. flier

FOLLETO DE LA RECORRIDO A PIE Y EN BICI POR MASS AVE.

Project flyer

We flyered and distributed materials along Mass Ave., advertising a series of walks and rides of the corridor. We made phone calls or sent emails to neighborhood association leaders and other identified stakeholders, posted on social media, and handed out flyers to businesses and posted flyers on light posts.

We later canvassed the corridor three times in order to visit every business when it was open. On these business walks, we provided information about the project, answered questions, and offered a future meeting as needed.

DATE TIME Actigivey
Friday, September 13, 2019 4 p.m. Flyering for walk/rides
Monday, September 16, 2019 4 p.m. Flyering for walk/rides
Thursday, January 30, 2020 2 p.m. Business walk
Thursday, February 13, 2020 9 a.m. Business walk
Thursday, March 12, 2020 9 a.m. Business walk

Download materials from the flyering:

Biking and Walking tour of Mass. Ave. flyer

FOLLETO DE LA RECORRIDO A PIE Y EN BICI POR MASS AVE.

Project flyer

We informed civic and business associations along the Mass. Ave. corridor about the project. 

DATE TIME LOCATION
Monday, November 4, 2019 7 p.m. Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 7 p.m. Hancock Street Civic Association
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 6 p.m. Uphams Corner Westside Neighborhood Association
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 7 p.m. Jones Hill Neighborhood Association
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 7 p.m. McCormack Neighborhood Association
Monday, November 25, 2019 7 p.m. Polish Triangle United
Wednesday, December 18, 2019 9 a.m. Newmarket Business Association
Thursday, January 16, 2020 7 p.m. Eastman-Elder Neighborhood Association

Download materials from the meetings:

PROJECT HANDOUT

PROJECT AREA MAP

Project flyer

Project area

The project includes the section of Massachusetts Avenue between — but not including — its intersections with Melnea Cass Boulevard and Columbia Road.

Massachusetts Avenue Better Bike Project area

  • Still have questions? Contact:
    Transportation
  • Get Email Updates

    Sign up for our email list to receive updates on the project.

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