In January 2020, we reported that the Project Team submitted the 25% Design for the Mount Auburn Street Complete Streets project to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The submittal was based on the conceptual design endorsed by the Town Council in November 2018.
Over the last 18 months our Project Team met with MassDOT to hold comment resolution meetings with the various MassDOT divisions, such as utility, right-of-way, traffic operations, and complete streets. Comment resolution is a prerequisite to holding an official 25% Design Public Hearing for the project. In addition, the City continues to prepare for advancing the project, undertaking tasks that will be required, such as coordination with other planned utility work on the corridor to complete the design and prepare for construction.
MassDOT has announced that the virtual 25% Design Public Hearing will take place on Thursday, November 4, 2021, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. You can view and share a meeting flyer. The public is welcome to attend, view a MassDOT presentation, and ask questions or make comments.
We’ve listed answers to some questions you may have below.
Q: Is the project still on schedule?
A: The project will be funded through the state’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Each year, the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) evaluates and schedules proposed projects within the region for funding as part of the five-year TIP capital plan. The Mount Auburn Street Complete Streets project continues to rank very high in the competitive TIP program.
Last year, funding for the Mount Auburn Street Complete Streets project was split between FY 2022 and FY 2023. The MPO is currently programming the State’s FY 2022 – 2026 TIP. A number of factors enter into the programming, including the project schedule and factors such as utility designs, coordination and construction that would have to take place before the project work can begin.
A FY 2023 funding year could allow the project to begin construction in early 2023. The Project Team continues to coordinate with MassDOT on the project schedule for the next steps.
Q: Is this the final design for the project?
A: The Public Hearing will address the design at the 25% level. It is not the final design and there may be changes moving forward based on the feedback that MassDOT receives during the 25% plan review. MassDOT welcomes your comments on its review through the Public Hearing process.
Q: How can I attend the 25% Design Public Hearing and what is the format?
A: The 25% Design Public Hearing will be held by MassDOT and must adhere to its format and requirements. It will be a Zoom meeting. Information is provided on the hearing flyer and on MassDOT’s website (under the project name “Watertown - Rehabilitation Mt. Auburn St.”). The Project Team will continue to provide updates through this email list. The meeting will be recorded and will become part of the public record. A question/answer period, moderated by MassDOT, will follow the presentation.
Q: How can I submit comments to MassDOT about the project?
A: According to MassDOT, project inquiries, written statements and other exhibits regarding the proposed undertaking may be submitted to Carrie E. Lavallee, P.E., Acting Chief Engineer, via e-mail to MassDOTProjectManagement@dot.state.ma.us or via US Mail to Suite 6340, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02216, Attention: Project Management, Project File No. 607777. Statements and exhibits intended for inclusion in the public hearing transcript must be emailed or postmarked no later than ten (10) business days after the hearing is posted to MassDOT’s website. Please note that comments submitted to the City or through our project email address/website are not part of the MassDOT record, but we will share them with MassDOT for informational purposes.
Q: Will there be additional meetings for the project?
A: The City has committed to continuing its public process as the design progresses, particularly as related to streetscape design. MassDOT has also indicated a willingness to provide a 75% design update meeting in the future.
Q: Are the catenary wires being removed?
A: We are aware that the MBTA is performing system-wide studies on removing catenary wires and replacing its fleet as part of ongoing MBTA capital planning and sees the corridor improvement project as a window of opportunity to upgrade transit infrastructure for the 71/73 routes. As our design advances beyond the 25% design, we will continue to coordinate our plans with the MBTA. We can adjust our design and plans should additional direction be provided to the Project Team.