Arlington Bus Priority Pilot Begins

ARLINGTON, MA – The Arlington Bus Rapid Transit priority pilot program began Tuesday, Oct. 9. The pilot allocates a bus lane on the eastbound side of Mass. Ave. from Varnum Street to Alewife Brook Parkway during the week.

From Oct. 9 to Nov. 9, the program will run Monday through Friday from 6-9 a.m.

Here's what to expect:

Lane assignments at Alewife Brook Parkway will be altered.
- The left-hand turn lane will be shared with through traffic with a protected left turn signal on the Parkway.
- The middle lane will remain a through lane, and;
- the right-most lane will become right turn only except for buses and bikes.

The pilot will also include adjusted traffic signals and the inbound Lake Street bus stop is relocated to 190 Mass Ave.

The dedicated bus lane will utilize the parking lane leaving the two eastbound travel lanes intact. Bicycles are allowed in the dedicated bus lane, but cars are not.

All travelers on Mass. Ave. should exercise caution as they adjust to these changes and observe no parking signs. Cars parked not observing posted times will be ticketed and towed.

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch