Essex Street Improvements: What's Being Done?

Photo Credit: Google Earth Screenshot

MELROSE, MA—While the main section of the work will begin in May, workers are already beginning the early phases of the improvements on Essex Street.

According to a post on the Melrose Mayor's Blog, the early will add drainage features and other underground work before major aesthetic improvements are made. The city will supplement the $641,000 Mass Works grants it received in 2014 with $400,00 in roadway bonds and private development funds.

Here's a breakdown of what's going to be done to the area, according to the Melrose Mayor's Blog.

Essex Street – Main Street to Myrtle Street

• Victorian-style lighting on both sides of the street (similar to Franklin Street)
• Bump-outs at crosswalks in the following locations: Cerretani Way to Century 21; Shaw’s entrance to parking lot across the street; intersection of Myrtle and Essex Streets
• Street trees on the south side
• Bike lane on the north side
• 18-inch accent strip in the sidewalk along curb on both sides
• Benches and bike racks

Essex Street – Myrtle Street to Willow Street

• Maintain parking on north side
• Centerline striping
• Off-street tree plantings (with permission from property owners)
• Bicycle shared lane markings (sharrows)

Essex Street – Willow Street to West Emerson Street

• Centerline and edge line striping
• Bicycle shared lane markings (sharrows)
• Off-street tree plantings (with permission from property owners)
• New crosswalk crossing Essex Street at Vine Street and crossing Essex Street at Willow Street
• Reconfiguration of bend in front of the Deering site to tighten travel lanes
• “Cut-in” parking area in front of the parking lot
• Grass strip in residential areas
• Benches and bike racks

Willow Street

• One-way travel from Essex Street to West Foster Street scheduled to begin in mid-April
• New concrete sidewalks and paving from Essex Street to Cherry Street
• Bump-outs at Cherry Street and the driveway for Station Crossing with painted crosswalks
• Addition of 8 parking spaces on the east side of Willow between Cherry Street and West Foster Street
• Bicycle shared lane markings (sharrows)