Lost Village Transportation Safety Improvements
We are investing in safer, greener, and accessible intersections and sidewalks in the Lost Village neighborhood
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This project will focus on making traffic calming improvements within the Lost Village in Charlestown. Below are the areas that will be improved as part of this Capital Improvement Project:
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Hadley Street, including the intersection of Parker Street and Cambridge Street.
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The intersection of Cambridge Street and Brighton Street.
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The intersection of Caldwell Street and Brighton Street.
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Medford Street between Bunker Hill Street and Short Street.
Design
The City has received mitigation funds from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission which have been allocated to this project. Our designs are complete and awaiting construction. After developing a construction coordination plan to review with the community, we aim to break ground in the spring of 2026.
Project Highlights
To increase your safety, improve accessibility, and expand our green infrastructure, we will:
- Reconstruct sidewalks, crosswalks, and ramps
- Implement improved curb lines and raised crosswalks
- Modernize traffic signal equipment and update signal timing
- Install high-visibility striping, and add new signage in the project area
- Incorporate green infrastructure
Design Details
SIDEWALKS AND ACCESSIBILITY
To improve your safety and accessibility we will:
- Upgrade all curb ramps to be ADA-compliant and rebuild most sidewalks. This will make walking and rolling accessible for everyone.
- Build curb extensions at intersections. This will widen the sidewalk, make space for wider curb ramps, and improve safety by slowing turning vehicles, shorten crossing distances, and increase visibility.
- Realign and refresh all crosswalk markings to maximize visibility of pedestrians and install raised crosswalks where feasible.
- Install new street lighting along reconstructed sidewalks.
ROADWAY AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS
To improve roadway conditions we will:
- Install fresh, high-visibility pavement markings throughout the project area.
- Improve the traffic signal at the intersection of Cambridge Street & Parker Street by:
- Reconstructing the intersection with redesigned geometry to improve safety and accessibility
- Installing new traffic signal equipment, increasing visibility of overhead signals, and adding Audible Pedestrian Signal (APS) buttons throughout for those who are blind or low-vision.
- Integrating the signal into the City’s central control system; coordinating the signal with those at the I-93 off-ramp and Sullivan Square.
- Updating timings to improve safety for all users by providing more time for pedestrians to cross and additional time for drivers on Cambridge Street to clear from the intersection.
ENVIRONMENT
To support a healthy environment we will:
- Install new tree pits and bioswales planted with native species to support rainwater infiltration, reduce the urban heat island effect, and beautify the neighborhood.
- Perform targeted upgrades to several locations for improved drainage.
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