Lower Roxbury Transportation Study
We want to hear your ideas about how to make it safer and more enjoyable to travel around Lower Roxbury.
Lower Roxbury residents and stakeholders asked us to take a broad look at transportation in the neighborhood. We are working to build a collaborative process with community members to:
- identify ways we can highlight neighborhood assets, and
- envision positive changes to your streets in Lower Roxbury.
Scroll down to learn about what we've done so far, or jump down to the bottom of our page for recent project updates.
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Study area
The project area is bounded by, but does not include Columbus Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, and Melnea Cass Boulevard.
WHAT WE'VE DONE SO FAR
In August and September 2019, we hosted six ideas on the street popups around Lower Roxbury.
We asked people what they love about the neighborhood and where they find joy. We also asked people to envision the future of their streets in Lower Roxbury.
We gathered 285 comments from residents and visitors of all ages.
WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW
We are working to co-create next steps together with Lower Roxbury residents and stakeholders.
We want to hear your ideas about how to make it safer and more enjoyable to travel around Lower Roxbury. We've convened an outreach advisory group to help us communicate with and engage communities in Lower Roxbury. For more information, email jennifer.rowe@boston.gov.
What you love about Lower Roxbury
IDEAS WE'VE HEARD SO FAR
Community members shared 297 ideas for how to improve transportation for people riding the bus, walking, biking, and driving or parking.
We heard many comments about improving safety for people walking and biking. We also heard a lot about improving bus service, accessibility, and walkability in the neighborhood.
- "Better wayfinding and markers related to neighborhood history: Frederick Douglass, Melnea Cass, MLK, Eustis St, and Harriet Tubman House."
- "Crossing is dangerous and difficult on foot because of conflicts with cars."
- "Smoother roads for biking and skateboarding"
- "Blind people have a hard time crossing the street. We need countdown timers with sounds at intersections."
- "The Silver Line is good."
- "We need another crosswalk on Washington Street at Ball Street."
- "Frederick Douglass Way has no stop sign at the corner of Tremont—can we add a stop sign?"
- "You want enough space for kids to play and ride bikes."
- "Bumpy sidewalks on Tremont near Melnea Cass. Elderly people stay inside because the sidewalks are bumpy and hazardous."
Types of changes we could make
Below are some types of changes we could use to make it safer and more enjoyable to travel on Lower Roxbury streets.
CROSSWALK
- Creates a marked location where people can cross the street.
- Includes curb ramps and crosswalk striping.
RAISED CROSSWALK
- Improves pedestrian safety by reducing vehicle speeds near crosswalks.
- Used on local streets and along major streets but not across major streets.
CROSSING ISLAND
- Shortens the distance for people crossing the street. People cross one direction of travel at a time.
- Designated with striping and “flexposts” or a raised area.
CROSSWALK 'DAYLIGHTING'
- Improves visibility for people crossing the street.
- Restricts parking 20 feet before the crosswalk.
SIGNAL TIMING CHANGE
- Gives pedestrians a head start, adds more “Walk” time to signals, or both.
SPEED HUMPS
- Lower driver speeds and improve safety on local streets.
- Used only on minor streets.
BIKE FACILITIES
- Creates dedicated space on the street for people riding bicycles.
- Various types of bike facilities are possible depending on street characteristics.
CURB MANAGEMENT
- Prioritizes the curb for specific uses, such as short-term parking, passenger pickup/ dropoff zones, commercial Loading zones, and metered parking.
SPEED FEEDBACK SIGN
- Interactive sign that alerts drivers of their speed and if they are exceeding the speed limit.
- Can help lower vehicle speeds.
Project updates
Project updatesWe are convening an outreach advisory group. Our goal is to get help communicating with the communities in Lower Roxbury. We will be meeting quarterly to advance these efforts. For more information, email jennifer.rowe@boston.gov.
| DATE | TIME | MATERIAL |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, October 28, 2020 | 11 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. | October 28 presentation October 28 meeting notes |
| Thursday, December 3, 2020 | 11 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. | December 3 presentation December 3 ideas generated December 3 meeting notes |
We're hosting a series of open houses. Our goal is to share what we've heard about what you love in Lower Roxbury — and how you envision your streets.
| DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, October 15 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Mandela Homes |
| Monday, October 28 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Peoples Baptist Church |
| Monday, November 4 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Camfield Estates |
| Thursday, January 30 | 6 – 7 p.m. | St. Stephen's Church (Youth Group) |
| Sunday, February 2 | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | St. Stephen's Church (Coffee Hour) |
We held a series of "Ideas on the Street" pop-ups at locations around Lower Roxbury to ask your thoughts about the neighborhood.
| DATE | START | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 17 | 12 – 3 p.m. | Shawmut Avenue, adjacent to Ramsay Park |
| Wednesday, August 28 | 8 – 11 a.m. | Southwest corner of Washington Street at Lenox Street |
| Friday, August 30 | 4 – 7 p.m. | Northeast corner of Harrison Avenue at E. Lenox Street |
| Sunday, September 1 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Southwest corner of Tremont Street at Camden Street |
| Wednesday, September 4 | 8 – 11 a.m. | Northeast corner of Tremont Street at St Cyprians Place |
| Friday, September 13 | 4 – 7 p.m. | Southwest corner of Tremont Street at Hammond Street |