Summer Street Pilot Program

We're launching a 6-month pilot bus/truck lane program this spring on Summer Street between South Station and South Boston. This project will include bus/truck lanes, better bike lanes, and improvements to pedestrian infrastructure. These updates will make this corridor more safe, reliable, and efficient for users.

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The South Boston Seaport Strategic Transit Plan (SBTAP) is an ongoing planning effort. That planning effort will make recommendations for bus and rail access improvements to the Seaport. Early community feedback has highlighted the need for near-term improvement along Summer Street. We plan to improve the transit experience for thousands of daily transit users on Summer Street with new bike facilities and a pilot bus/truck lane program in order to make the corridor safer for all.

The project seeks to implement strategies to eliminate serious and fatal traffic crashes, simplify intersections, improve the transit network, expand the bike network, improve walkability, and enhance the neighborhood experience.

Still have questions? Contact:
Transportation

617-635-4680

send an email

1 City Hall Square
Room 721

Boston, MA 02201-2026
United States
Questions? Contact:

Transportation | TRANSIT TEAM
btdtransitprograms@boston.gov

Community Insight

Buses are crowded and unreliable

Route 7 buses remain crowded and prone to delay. A rush-hour trip can take an extra 10-20 minutes and reliability is low.

"My commute on the 7 bus is slow and frustrating." - Summer Street Employee

Bike facilities should be expanded

Cyclists do not have a comfortable or consistent bike connection along Summer Street.

"I avoid biking on Summer Street because I don't feel safe." - South Boston Cyclist

Accommodate economic activity

Improve access to the Port of Boston with bus/truck lanes and overall mobility options for people who live and work here.

"This is not a pleasant street to cross in a wheelchair." - South Boston Resident

Corridor improvement

Using community feedback, we have identified Summer Street as an opportunity for near-term, multimodal improvements. Our plan considers a range of transportation improvements throughout the corridor. The pilot will begin with a series of short term changes that will be made permanent if found to be successful.

New pilot bus / truck lanes will provide better passenger amenities while improving the reliability of bus service. Trucks will also be permitted to use the bus lane to accommodate heavy truck traffic from Massport. These lanes will be permanently implemented if they are found to be useful during the pilot period in Spring 2023.
Protected bike facilities will allow for low-stress and safe connections between South Boston and Downtown Boston. New connections will be made between existing infrastructure.
An improved pedestrian experience will be had with the addition of transit/bike infrastructure. With improved traffic management along the corridor, pedestrians will be able to have a safer experience.

Neighborhood benefit

Shorter commutes

More than 4,600 daily passengers use the MBTA 7. They experience crowding, unreliable service, and slow-moving traffic. As the South Boston and Seaport Waterfronts continues to grow, we know these conditions could become worse. Our proposed bus improvements to Summer Street could save up to 10 minutes on rush-hour trips. This would save hours weekly for commuters from South Boston and the Seaport.

Cross-town connections

With improved 7 bus service, South Boston and Seaport residents will have better connections to the Red Line and Downtown, especially those in City Point. For bikers, a Summer Street protected bike lane will connect South Boston and the Seaport to existing bike infrastructure downtown, and the recent Crossroads project in the Fort Point Neighborhood.

Faster emergency vehicle response time

With worsening traffic, response time for first responders is increasing. Emergency vehicles are allowed to use the bus lane. This enables quicker access for fire, EMS, and police to South Boston Waterfront locations. Our plans are designed to accommodate emergency vehicles. This will help reduce response time along the corridor.

Bolster existing bike and pedestrian infrastructure

Summer Street is a critical missing link in existing pedestrian and bike infrastructure in the City. With protected bike lanes and safer pedestrian access, the South Boston Waterfront becomes more accessible. Connections to downtown also become safer and more efficient.

Reduce cut-through

Our project has minimal traffic impacts and prioritizes buses, pedestrians, and cyclists. For local commuters in cars, traveling on the corridor will take a similar amount of time as it does today. Our Summer Street redesign will likely dissuade commuters from outside the city from using South Boston communities, including City Point, Fort Point, and the Seaport as a cut-through.