Final Design Approved For Somerville Street Connector Project

SOMERVILLE, MA — The city has finalized the design for the Elm-Beacon Connector project, which will add protected bike lanes, reconfigure parking, and make other safety improvements along multiple adjacent roadways.

The project covers Elm Street between Russell Street and Somerville Avenue, Somerville Avenue between the Cambridge city line and Elm Street, Beacon Street between Somerville Avenue and Oxford Street, and all of Mossland Street. According to the city, the work is part of the implementation of Somerville's Bicycle Network Plan, its Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries, and requirements under the city's Safe Streets Ordinance.

The final design includes protected bike lanes on Elm Street, Somerville Avenue and Beacon Street, along with a new Neighborway connection on Mossland Street. The city plans to create the Neighborway by closing Mossland Street to motor vehicles at Elm Street while maintaining a two-way connection for people walking and biking. Other improvements include new stop signs at Elm and Beech streets, centerline hardening at several crosswalks, new Clear Corners pavement markings at intersections to improve visibility, traffic signal upgrades at four intersections, and the relocation and extension of several MBTA Route 87 bus stops. The city also plans to build a raised crosswalk across Elm Street at Cherry Street near the Kennedy School in 2027 and construct a new curb ramp at Elm and Beech streets.

To make room for the changes, the city will remove most parking on the south side of Elm Street along with select spaces on Somerville Avenue, Beacon Street and Mossland Street. New parking will be added on Russell Street and Cutter Avenue, while new loading zones and dedicated school pick-up and drop-off areas will be created near the Kennedy School on Cherry Street and Sartwell Avenue. The project will also remove a turn lane on Summer Street at Cutter Avenue.

Design work on the project began in the fall of 2024. A concept design was released in February 2025 before the city finalized the plans this past April following community outreach and feedback. Most of the improvements will be installed using quick-build materials such as pavement markings, flexible plastic posts, signage, and traffic signal upgrades.

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