Medford Receives Grant to Improve Pedestrian Safety

MEDFORD, MA – Medford was one of 11 Massachusetts communities Wednesday to receive funding as part of the state's Complete Streets initiative.

The Baker-Polito administration's program seeks to provide safe and accessible options for all travel modes and all people, factoring in various ages and abilities.

"We’re proud of the efforts our administration has taken to make Massachusetts a better place to live and work, and the Complete Streets Program is another way that we can do that in our neighborhoods and city and town centers," Gov. Charlie Baker said in a formal statement. "We also understand that cities and towns know their communities better than anyone, and with the Complete Streets Program, they are empowered to design for the unique needs of their residents, commuters and the traveling public."

The grants will be used to fund local, multi-model infrastructure improvement projects identified as priority sites by each municipality. In order to qualify, communities had to attend an initial program workshop, pass a Complete Streets Policy scoring 80 or above out of 100 points and develop a Complete Streets Prioritization Plan.

Once completed, a municipality became eligible for construction funds of up to $50,000 for technical assistance and up to $400,000 for construction funding.

"We are very excited to provide municipalities with the first round of funding for the Complete Streets Program,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito in a statement. "The Complete Streets Program provides municipalities with an opportunity to identify and develop key transportation improvement projects that seek to increase the safety, accessibility, and reliability of multi-modal transportation for residents across the Commonwealth."

Since its inception in February, the program has resulted in approved policies in 91 municipalities and 27 approved Prioritization Plans.

"MassDOT is pleased to partner with municipalities across the Commonwealth to offer the Complete Streets Program to help communities make much needed transportation improvements," said Transportation Secretary & CEO Stephanie Pollack in a statement. "I would like to thank all of the state and local officials, civic and community leaders, and members of the MassDOT staff who have helped to streamline the program, and highlight the need to incorporate ‘complete streets’ into design and planning projects."

Here's a look at how the grant will be used in Medford:

• Traffic calming and signal improvements at Brooks Elementary School
• Intersection and crossing improvements at West Medford Square, Tufts Pool and Park, Medford Square and Winthrop Circle
• Bicycle safety improvements along Boston Avenue, with a northbound separated bicycle lane and southbound shared lane between High Street in West Medford to the Somerville line on Broadway

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