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The City is making pedestrian safety and accessibility improvements around Davis Square. Planned improvements include ADA-compliant accessible curb ramps and crosswalks. These improvements will increase safety and make it easier for people to move around the square.

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Map of Davis Square representing work complete and work remaining

 

About this Project

What is an accessible curb ramp? 

An accessible curb ramp is located at the point where the sidewalk and street meet at a crosswalk and allows anyone traveling, including people with disabilities using mobility devices, to move from the sidewalk level to the street level and use the crosswalk. These curb ramps also include detectable warning pads, or tiles with raised bumps, to signal to people with visual impairments that they are transitioning from the sidewalk into the crosswalk.

Anticipated Work Schedule: 

Work will begin in September and continue through the fall. Work will then resume in spring 2023. Please refer to the map above to see which components of the work are anticipated to be completed in 2022 and which components are scheduled for 2023. 

Construction Impacts: 

Temporary parking restrictions and short-term detours anticipated. Please observe posted signage.

Notification of any parking restrictions will be posted no less than 48 hours in advance. 

Questions? Email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at 617-625-6600 ext. 5400
 

 

Project updates

10/27/2022

City contractors have been working over recent weeks to bring these safety and accessibility improvements to Davis Square. 

To date, seven new ADA compliant accessible curb ramps have been completed. Reconstruction of the crosswalks across Holland St., Dover St., Day St., College Ave. and Highland Ave. has also been completed. The brick surface formerly within these crosswalks has been replaced with asphalt to promote safety and increase accessibility. 

The remaining elements of this progress will be completed in Spring 2023.

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Accessible curb in Davis Square across Highland Ave. slip lane
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Newly repaved crosswalk across College Ave. with accessible curb ramp
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Newly paved crosswalk across Dover St. in Davis Square
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Newly repaved crosswalk across Holland St. with accessible curb ramp

 

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