Babcock Street Project: Here's How The Transportation Board Voted

BROOKLINE, MA — The Transportation Board had a packed room Monday night as they decided on which of the routes to take with the future of Babcock Street. The Transportation Board voted 4-2 in favor of Option 5.

For more than a year, the Transportation Board has been working on making the street, which stretches from Harvard Street to Commonwealth Ave, safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Most people in the neighborhood have agreed that something should be done to the corridor, but not everyone agrees on just what that should look like.

Transportation Administrator Todd Kirrane gave a presentation outlining all the steps and work and public meetings on the plans, including meetings with the fire department officials and the Select Board.

"We're really left trying to make a complete street from this narrow [street]," said Kirrane, "realizing we're not going to satisfy everyone."

He explained to those in the room what the Babcock Street options now looked like, including their pros and cons. Following the presentation several members of the public shared concerns and then it happened: the Transportation Board voted 4-2 in favor of Option 5.

The Transportation board got a letter from the Chamber of Commerce to include as much parking as possible to keep the business district vital, he said.

Previously on Patch:

Brookline's Controversial Babcock St Calming Project Still On

What Will Brookline Do About The Traffic On Babcock Street?

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