On Wednesday, there will be two public meetings about projects with the potential to reshape Somerville — and dramatically improve the convenience and safety of bicycling — for years to come.

If you live in Ward 6 or 7, or bike on Powder House Blvd., please consider attending the Powder House redesign meeting (info below) so we can turn out a hyper-local crowd that shows support among the immediate community for protected bike lanes.

If you live elsewhere in Somerville, we could use your help at the McGrath Highway meeting (info below) instead.

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McGrath Boulevard Community Meeting

On Wednesday, City officials will host a community meeting on a long-term project with sweeping implications for the future of Somerville: The “grounding” of the McGrath Highway. Working with the city, MassDOT developed a concept for replacing the Rt. 28 McCarthy Overpass with a boulevard at street level, which would connect neighborhoods bisected by the highway while providing ideal, separated bicycling infrastructure in an area sorely in need of it. (You can read more background on this project here.)

At this meeting, Mayor Curtatone, City Councilors, and state officials will be on hand to review the concept plan, answer questions, and accept public feedback. Now is the best time to voice your feedback on this major redesign while it is still in the planning phase. Though funding isn’t expected until 2026, it is vital that Somerville and MassDOT hear from you now so they arrive at a design so that prioritizes safety, meets Somerville’s Vision Zero goals, and aligns with other infrastructure on the ground or coming soon to the area.

This project has long been in the works, and we need to stay engaged and continue to show strong support for it so it can move ahead as quickly as possible.

McGrath Boulevard Community Meeting
Wed., May 22 // 6:30 – 8:30 pm
East Somerville Community School
50 Cross Street, Somerville

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Powder House Boulevard Community Meeting

Following a fatal crash in February on Powder House Blvd., Somerville developed two concepts for updating the road: One that includes protected bike lanes, and one that does not. The city has since received much feedback on those plans, including opposition to the removal of some parking spaces which would be necessary to accommodate physical separation for bicyclists.

It’s imperative that we show Somerville there is widespread support for safe bike infrastructure on this key connector. Parking convenience should not take precedence over street safety, especially when parking counts show there is a surplus of storage space.

While the final design is as yet undecided, we insist it meet following criteria: 1) Physical separation from moving vehicles; 2) Continuity; 3) Unobstructed sight lines, especially at intersections; 4) Slow motor vehicle speeds; 5) Safe usage for people of all ages & abilities.

Powder House Blvd Traffic Safety Plan Community Meeting
Wed., May 22 // 6 – 8 p.m.
West Somerville Neighborhood School
177 Powder House Blvd., Somerville

Protected bike lanes fit Somerville’s admirable public health, safety, transportation and environmental goals. Please join us in urging the city to make good on those commitments, and to include protected bike lanes in this important project!

If you are unable to attend this meeting, you can still submit feedback about PowderHouse Blvd. by emailing transportation@somervillema.gov, mayor@somervillema.gov, and citycouncil@somervillema.gov, and CC’ing info@bostoncyclistsunion.org.