Construction To Start On Babcock Street In Brookline

BROOKLINE, MA — It's coming after years of discussion on just how to do it; Babcock Street is about to get its makeover. As the the Comm Ave Bridge project wraps up on the Brookline Boston line, construction vehicles will be showing up en force along Babcock Street as the town begins road and sidewalk construction.

And they're going to be there for a while. The project is slated to finish next June. And yes, a section of the road will be closed to through traffic. But don't fret; the fire department will still be able to get to and fro, according to a press release from the Brookline Planning Department.

Watch for detours and police officers directing traffic. And make sure you go slow when driving in that area.

>>> Babcock Street Project Update

Crews will start by installing new signs and then they'll start pulling up the road along Babcock from Devotion Street to Freeman Street. By the end of the construction town officials say they'll have gotten rid of deteriorating roadway and sidewalks and all that has gone along with those, make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and update the street lights.

For years, the Transportation Board attempted to figure out a way to make the street, which stretches from Harvard Street to Commonwealth Ave, safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Most people in the neighborhood agreed that something should be done to the corridor, but not everyone agreed on just what that should look like. In January the board finally voted on an option they deemed a compromise (it was called Option 5). In March there was a public Select Board meeting in which dozens of residents came out to speak out on the project concerned about parking and the bike lane. In the end the Select Board voted 3 to 2 to support the Transportation Board's pick.

Take a look at the plans and updated cross walks and bike lane from the Harvard Street section (far left) to just past John Street below:

What to expect during construction>>> Babcock Street Project Update

• General work hours will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday.
• “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance of construction; please be sure to check posted signs for exact dates and times.
• Section of the road will be temporary closed.
• When work occurs directly in front of driveways or entryways, the contractor and police details will coordinate access directly with residents and businesses.
• Emergency vehicles will have access at all times.

Previously:

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

Jan 23, 2018 - Monday night Brookline's Transportation Board Voted on an option for the street calming project.

Brookline's Controversial Babcock St Calming Project Still On - Patch

Jan 19, 2018 - Babcock Street Street Calming Project Still On

What Will Brookline Do About The Traffic On Babcock Street? - Patch

Jul 13, 2017 11:10 pm ET ... has seen yet another setback in traffic calming efforts on Babcock Street. ... Ward asked the Board to send the project back to the Transportation ...

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Photo by Renee Shiavone/Patch Staff