Committee Report - T&P - 5-13-15 — File 199153

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 1 of 7 Printed 5/14/2015 May 13, 2015 REPORT OF THE TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Robert J. McWatters Chair Present Rebekah L. Gewirtz Vice Chair Absent Tony Lafuente Ward Four Alderman Present Others present: Alderman Mark Niedergang, T. Smith, Suzanne Rinfret - T&P, Terry Smith - T&P, Omar Boukili - Mayor’s Office 1. Approval of the January 29, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 196786: That the Director of Traffic and Parking reassess the timing of traffic lights on McGrath Highway, near Assembly Square, under the overpass heading toward Broadway, and at the intersection of Mount Vernon Street at Broadway. The Traffic and Parking Department has hired a consultant to find improvements for this area. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196849: That the Director of Traffic and Parking post a NO RIGHT TURN 7AM-9AM on Broadway, at MacArthur Street, to limit traffic on MacArthur Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196901: That the Director of Traffic and Parking place signs at Porter and Elm Streets, and at Porter and Summer Streets, prohibiting thru traffic on lower Porter Street 6-9 AM and 4-7 PM. Alderman Niedergang explained that Porter Street may be the only one way street going to Highland Avenie and that Craigie Street is a wider street with 2 parks.

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 2 of 7 Printed 5/14/2015 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196902: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install temporary speed bumps on lower Porter Street, between Summer and Elm Streets, to reduce traffic speed. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197506: That the City Clerk request of DCR that a sign be installed at Route 16 and Shore Drive, warning motorists of the recently installed raised crosswalk. Mr. Smith informed members that the location might be incorrect. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197507: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install a temporary speed bump at the corner Sunnyside Avenue and Wigglesworth Street during the school year. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197635: That the Director of Traffic and Parking explore the feasibility of making College Avenue two lanes, heading south into Davis Square, on weekday mornings. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197716: That the Director of Traffic and Parking and the Commissioner of Public Works respond, in writing, to #197635, a request for College Avenue to have two lanes of traffic headed into Davis Square on weekday mornings. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197743: That the Administration increase the inventory of temporary speed bumps and promote their use in areas where cut through traffic is temporarily increased. Mr. Smith told members that raised speed bumps are priorities in the areas of parks, playgrounds and senior citizen locations. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197745: That the Director of Traffic and Parking place a solar powered speed board on Hammond Street to monitor speeding cut through traffic. Mr. Smith stated that the speed board has been designated for Boston Avenue and that Hammond Street is not a priority.

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 3 of 7 Printed 5/14/2015 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197746: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install a temporary speed bump on Hammond Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197874: That the Director of Traffic and Parking devise a plan to deal with traffic issues on the corner of Mount Vernon Street and Broadway. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197877: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install NO PARKING signs on either side of the fire hydrant in front of 21 - 23 Sargent Avenue. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197888: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install a crosswalk on Central Street, between Highland Avenue and Summer Street. Mr. Smith informed members that the area needs to meet ADA requirements. No counts have been done to show a significant amount of pedestrians in the area. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197919: That the Director of Traffic and Parking consider installation of a blinking traffic light at the crosswalk at 530 Somerville Avenue. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197965: That the Director of Traffic and Parking make recommendations to deal with speeding vehicles on Hammond and Elliot streets. Mr. Smith stated that a blinking light was installed and then removed, as requested by residents. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197970: That the Director of Traffic and Parking replace the pop-up caution signs that have disappeared from the crosswalk at Morrison Avenue and Highland Road. (2nd request) RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197973: That the Director of Traffic and Parking analyze the traffic signals in Magoun

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 4 of 7 Printed 5/14/2015 Square and report to the Ward 5 Alderman whether any changes can be made to facilitate traffic flow, especially cars backed up on Medford Street during the evening rush hour. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197981: That the Commissioner of Public Works determine if it is feasible to place a bump out at the corner of Bonner and Columbus Avenues. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198024: Traffic and Parking Director submitting responses to various Board Orders submitted 10/9/14. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198098: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install a NOT A THRU WAY sign at the entrance of Cobble Hill Apartments on Washington Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198108: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install a mid-block crosswalk with lights/signs at the North Street Veterans Playground, either at Hamilton Road or directly in front of the playground entrance. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198154: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install a temporary speed bump on Hammond Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198155: That the Director of Traffic and Parking implement a pedestrian safety plan for Webster Avenue at the Cambridge border, to support the residents on Webster Avenue and Norfolk Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198202: That the Administration include in a petition to MA DOT, a request to lower the speed limit to 25 mph on Laurel St., Newton St., and Concord Ave. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198256: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 11/13/14.

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 5 of 7 Printed 5/14/2015 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198257: Traffic and Parking Director submitting responses to various Board Orders submitted 11/13/14. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198294: Traffic and Parking Director submitting responses to various Board Orders submitted 11/25/14. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198422: Traffic and Parking Director submitting responses to various Board Orders submitted 11/25/14. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198650: That the Director of Traffic and Parking determine if there is an adequate sight line for motorists turning left onto Central Street from Oxford Street. Chairman McWatters has received information on this matter. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198725: That the Director of SPCD update this Board on the status of Mass DOT work on McGrath Highway. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198726: The Directors of Traffic and Parking and SPCD inform this Board of the notification plans to residents, property owners and businesses, regarding changes to the parking regulations along Medford Street in conjunction with the Mass DOT McGrath Highway project. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198779: Traffic and Parking Director submitting responses to various Board Orders submitted 3/26/15. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198780: Traffic and Parking Director submitting responses to various Board Orders submitted 3/12/15.

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 6 of 7 Printed 5/14/2015 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198924: That the Traffic Engineer arrange for two lanes at the intersection of Shore Drive and Mystic Avenue and report to the Traffic Commission on efforts to re-calibrate the signalization there. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198946: That the Director of Traffic and Parking consider changing the traffic flow on Medford Street, from Pearl Street to McGrath Highway, to flow with the rush hour traffic. Mr. Smith informed members that this would be labor intensive and have to be changed twice a day and add to motorists’ confusion. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198958: That the Director of Traffic and Parking paint appropriate roadway markings at the speed bump on Shore Drive to alert drivers as they approach it. This has been completed. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198959: That the Traffic Engineer examine the rotary at Grand Union Blvd. and River Road for safety and install appropriate signage. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198964: That the Commissioner of Public Works or the Director of Traffic and Parking install a bump out at the corner of Columbus and Bonner Avenues. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199057: That the Director of Traffic and Parking paint the lane arrows at the traffic light on Holland Street, in Teele Square. Mr. Smith expects that the painting of the lane arrows may happen in early summer or fall of this year. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199058: That the Director of Traffic and Parking appear before this Board to discuss the on-street parking permits given to Tufts University employees.

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 7 of 7 Printed 5/14/2015 Ms. Rinfret informed members that Tufts pays for the permits and that approximately 1400 permits have been issued. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199060: That the Director of Traffic and Parking repair and install solar flashing lights on the pedestrian crossing sign at Washington and Hawkins Streets. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199061: That the Director of Traffic and Parking paint the crosswalk at Joseph Street and Lincoln Parkway and install flashing lights at the STOP sign there. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199062: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install signage on Park Street alerting motorists of children crossing at 44 Park Street. This was completed today, (May, 13th). RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199065: That the Traffic Engineer review the pedestrian walkway on Somerville Avenue at the RITE AID, and make safety improvements. Mr. Smith reported that there is a signal light at Park Avenue and that no safety improvements are necessary at this point. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED