Broadway Magoun Reconstruction Project Kicks Off 10/15 with Virtual Meeting

Help shape the future design of one of Somerville’s most used streets. The City of Somerville is planning to rebuild the segment of Broadway that passes through Magoun Square, spanning from Winchester Street to Central Street. In addition to rebuilding the sidewalks and repaving this roadway, the City will look to redesign the street to make it safer, more accessible, and to promote sustainable transportation options.  

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 5 Councilor Naima Sait, and Mobility Division staff invite all to kick off the community engagement process and design effort by attending a virtual meeting on Wednesday, October 15, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. At this meeting, City staff will introduce the project and provide residents with the opportunity to ask questions and share their experiences travelling along Broadway.  

Visit somervillema.gov/broadwaymagoun to learn more and attend.  

Public feedback opportunities on both the initial planning and then the design of the project will continue over the coming year, including:  

• Online and in-person surveys (survey to go live October 15)
• Street outreach pop-up events (schedule subject to change due to weather):
  • Wednesday, October 22, on Broadway at Medford St., 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, October 29, at Trum Field, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Direct outreach to local businesses
• Tabling at community events
• And virtual office hour drop-in events

All information about the project including details on how to engage are available at somervillema.gov/broadwaymagoun.  

Reconstruction is currently anticipated to take place between 2027 and 2029. 

Questions and comments can be submitted at any point by emailing transportation@somervillema.gov or by calling 311 (617-666-3311)

More About This Project 

Through its Annual Pavement and Sidewalk Management Program (somervillema.gov/paving) the City uses a data-driven approach to identify streets and sidewalks in need of repair. When a street is identified for “complete street reconstruction” meaning its sidewalks will be fully rebuilt and the roadway will be paved from curb-to-curb, it presents an opportunity to reimagine the street.  

As part of the Broadway Magoun Reconstruction project, the City plans to:  

• Reconstruct all the sidewalks along Broadway from Winchester Street to Central Street, along with approximately 20 feet into intersecting streets
• Repave the roadway from sidewalk curb to sidewalk curb
• Add accessible curb ramps and tactile warning pads to all existing crosswalks
• Explore opportunities for new crossings and improved crossings such as installing raised crosswalks/intersections or curb extensions
• Identify locations for new trees and considering improvements for existing trees such as expanded tree wells and tree bump-outs to support tree longevity and health
• Upgrade existing bicycle facilities to provide protection
• Make improvements to traffic signal operations at signalized intersections
• Consider traffic calming like speed humps on streets in the nearby area 

Policy Background  

The City’s efforts to increase safety on our streets are guided by our goals to both keep community members physically safe as well as to achieve our climate action goal to shift more trips to sustainable modes of travel like public transit, walking, biking, and rolling. You can learn more about this work in the plans below.    

• Somerville’s Vision Zero Action Plan (somervillema.gov/visionzero) to eliminate traffic fatalities and reduce severe injuries within our transportation system
• The Somerville Bicycle Network Plan (somervillema.gov/bikenetwork) which aims to create bike facilities for people of all ages and abilities to safely get around the City
• The City’s Climate Forward Plan (somervillema.gov/climateforward) to reduce carbon emissions and increase active and sustainable transportation options.  

  
Somerville’s Safe Streets Ordinance reaffirms the City’s commitment to accelerating work toward these goals through the implementation of forward-looking design and safety practices. 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter in your language for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of these events.