New Bus, Bike Lanes Coming To Somerville

SOMERVILLE, MA — New bus lanes and bicycle mobility upgrades are coming to Somerville as part of the Winter Hill in Motion plan, officials announced Wednesday. Work has begun to install bright red "Bus Only" lanes along both sides of Broadway between McGrath Highway and Main Street, one of the city's main commuting corridors.

These lanes will enable the MBTA's 89 and 101 buses, which carry about 8,000 riders a day, to operate more efficiently. Passengers could save up to five minutes per ride and see more buses arriving on schedule, officials said.

In addition to bus lanes, the plan calls for installing improved bike facilities, including a parking-protected lane, retimed traffic signals to better meet the needs of motorists and pedestrians, transit signal priority technology to move buses through intersections more efficiently and new signs and pavement markings.

Broadway is the second-most traveled street in Somerville. The Winter Hill in Motion plan aims to expand and improve low-carbon transit options for residents who live and travel through the area.

"If we're serious about shifting mobility away from car trips, it's our responsibility to make taking transit, biking, or walking the convenient and safe choice," Mayor Joseph Curtatone said in a statement. "Improvements like dedicated bus lanes, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly signal timing will help make Broadway – which is a very car-centric corridor – more welcoming to other modes of transportation."

The new pavement markings, additional signage, and retimed traffic signals will be installed over the course of the coming weeks. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is expected to be held later this year. For more information about the project, please visit SomervilleMA.gov/WinterHillMotion.