Grounding McGrath

Grounding the McGrath from Dan Reiner on Vimeo.

I ride through here…every single day, and every single day it sucks.  I can’t wait for this to get better.  Don’t even care if there is crazy construction for a year.  Highways don’t belong in neighborhoods.

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McGrath To Get Much Needed Improvements!

I ride through this area on a regular basis, and I can attest that this sort of improvement is much needed.  Highways don’t belong in neighborhoods.

From Livable Streets:

———-

You voiced your opinion and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) listened.

Thanks to your support over the past three years, we could see much needed improvements to the McGrath corridor from Somerville Ave to Washington Street around the McCarthy Overpass by next summer.

 

Now, as part of the State’s repair project, MassDOT is planning to make additional surface improvements for people to make it safer and easier to walk, bike, take the bus, and drive, when originally the only plan was to repair the structure.

 

LivableStreets urged the State to reconsider howthey are investing money in this project. Taking our feedback, the State hired consultants to analyze the possibilities. Last week, data and conceptual drawings were presented to LivableStreets and other stakeholders. The drawings showed new and improved intersections, buffered bicycle lanes, designated areas for buses, improved traffic signals, and the closing of ramps and tunnels. 

 

With the addition of a new intersection and improved crossings, you would be able to walk and bike along McGrath and get from one side of McGrath to the other safely and more easily, unlike today.

The new ideas presented are because you wrote letters, volunteered, signed postcards, and attended meetings and spoke up. Now we are closer to seeing these much needed improvements.

Thank you Massachusetts Department of Transportation and City of Somerville!  

Today (top); A vision (bottom)

We are also now one step closer to realizing the ultimate vision of taking down the outdated overpass to make our communities more connected and livable, and pave the way for more businesses and jobs.

The work is not complete though… We must continue to weigh in on the plans and there will be public meetings this spring.

Together, we can make these changes happen! Join LivableStreets today. Bybecoming a member now, you will contribute to helping make these changes actually happen.

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MassDOT Wants To Do To McGrath What They Are Going To Do To Forest Hills

From here:

MassDOT has recommended that the McCarthy Overpass portion of McGrath Highway be grounded and the roadway developed into a Boulevard that reconnects East Somerville, Union Square and Brickbottom.  Project managers released the recommendation during a May 15 public meeting in Somerville to discuss the Grounding McGrath Study.

A multiyear planning study examining multiple alternatives concluded this approach best balances local and regional needs in the McGrath Highway corridor and area neighborhoods.  The recommended plan preserves continuity at Washington Street, while enhancing pedestrian and bicycle connections. This option will also create a new connection from McGrath Highway northbound to Somerville Avenue and Union Square, providing full access in all directions at that location. The removal of the overpass will allow for wider sidewalks, bicycle paths, added green space that will help spur redevelopment and enhance existing uses along the corridor.

Highways and overpasses have no place inside cities. This town is slowly recovering from decades of poor planning, and all you have to do is go outside to see that its working.

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This Just In: McGrath To Get Cyclist/Pedestrian Upgrades!

Way to go everyone!

From Livable Streets:

———————-

You voiced your opinion and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) listened.

Thanks to your support over the past three years, we could see much needed improvements to the McGrath corridor from Somerville Ave to Washington Street around the McCarthy Overpass by next summer.

 

Now, as part of the State’s repair project, MassDOT is planning to make additional surface improvements for people to make it safer and easier to walk, bike, take the bus, and drive, when originally the only plan was to repair the structure.

 

LivableStreets urged the State to reconsider how they are investing money in this project. Taking our feedback, the State hired consultants to analyze the possibilities. Last week, data and conceptual drawings were presented to LivableStreets and other stakeholders. The drawings showed new and improved intersections, buffered bicycle lanes, designated areas for buses, improved traffic signals, and the closing of ramps and tunnels. 

 

With the addition of a new intersection and improved crossings, you would be able to walk and bike along McGrath and get from one side of McGrath to the other safely and more easily, unlike today.

The new ideas presented are because you wrote letters, volunteered, signed postcards, and attended meetings and spoke up. Now we are closer to seeing these much needed improvements.

Thank you Massachusetts Department of Transportation and City of Somerville! 

Today (top); A vision (bottom)

We are also now one step closer to realizing the ultimate vision of taking down the outdated overpass to make our communities more connected and livable, and pave the way for more businesses and jobs.

The work is not complete though… We must continue to weigh in on the plans and there will be public meetings this spring.

Together, we can make these changes happen! Join LivableStreets today. By becoming a member or donating now, you will contribute to helping make these changes actually happen.

 

Thank you,

 

 

 

 

Jackie Douglas, Executive Director

 

PS –Come celebrate this news and much more at our 3rd annual Spring member meet and greet on April 18!

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Livable Streets E-Lert: It’s Time To Do Something On May 31

from Livable Streets

———————————

Would you rather live, work, and play next to this?

Do you live in or near Somerville and have to walk, bike, take transit, or drive through the McGrath Corridor to get to work, class, or do errands?   

For more than a year, we have been re-envisoning what the corridor could look like. Today we have the opportunity to change one important part, the McCarthy Overpass. Now is the time to take action!

On Thursday, May 31st, there will be a public meeting about the McCarthy Overpass. We need you to attend and speak up!

Or this?

Thursday, May 31st, 6-8 pm @ Argenziano School Cafetorium, 290 Washington St, Somerville. Come early between 4:30-6:00 pm for the LivableStreets McCarthy Overpass meet up to learn more about the Remove McGrath Campaign from LivableStreets Ambassadors and neighborhood groups.

MassDOT could repair the McCarthy Overpass section of the McGrath Highway as a temporary fix, keeping a dangerous highway that acts as barrier in place for at least another 10 years. Or MassDOT could spend the $11 million to remove the highway

Or this?

and reconnect Somerville neighborhoods and business districts. Watch this video to find out what people are saying about the McCarthy Overpass.

LivableStreets supports the removal of the McCarthy Overpass along the McGrath Highway. Instead of a highway bisecting Somerville, LivableStreets advocates for neighborhood streets which provide safe, convenient access for all road users.  

Whether you are a commuter or a community member, speak up in support of the removal of the McCarthy Overpass.

What can you do?

Read our Citizen Information Handout to learn more

Attend the May 31 public meeting and speak up.

4:30-6:00 pm LivableStreets meet up

6:00-8:00 pm Public Meeting

Learn more. Read our Citizen Information Handout with talking points for the meeting.

Share. Forward this e-lert to 5 or more friends, colleagues, family members, and neighbors to spread the word. Invite friends to the public meeting on Facebook here >>> 

See you May 31.

Sincerely,

Jackie Douglas                Kara Oberg                     Steven Nutter

Executive Director           Program Coordinator        Advocacy Committee member

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