Open House: Proposed Green Line Crossing to Connect Inner Belt & Brickbottom 11/18

Brickbottom and Inner Belt, two important Somerville neighborhoods are separated from one another by train tracks. Currently residents and visitors looking to move between these areas must follow a lengthy route that includes walking under McGrath Highway via the underpass on Washington Street. Community members are invited to weigh in on better solutions at an upcoming open house b on Tuesday, November 18.  

The City is looking to more directly link the two neighborhoods by providing a safe, accessible crossing for people walking, rolling, or biking from one side of the green line tracks to the other near the East Somerville MBTA station.  

With the support of a MassWorks Infrastructure Program Grant (bit.ly/massMIP),  the City of Somerville’s Division of Infrastructure and Asset Management will be exploring options for the crossing and advancing early-stage design through 2026.  

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 2 Councilor J.T. Scott, and City Staff invite community members to an open house to learn more about the project, share their experiences moving around the neighborhood, review preliminary design concepts, and provide feedback. 

Join the Discussion  

• When? Tuesday, November 18, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.  
• Where? Triangle Cafe, 100 Chestnut Street 

At the open house, community members can explore different stations describing aspects of the project and talk directly to the project team about their questions and comments.   

If community members cannot attend, there will be multiple other ways to share feedback such as through an online feedback survey, virtual office hours, and more.   

Creating a better connection for people walking, rolling, or riding a bike between the two neighborhoods was identified as a key community priority in the recent Brickbottom Neighborhood Plan (voice.somervillema.gov/brick) adopted in September 2024. The aim of an improved crossing is to both positively impact residents’ quality of life with a better walking route as well as to support economic growth by connecting the services and people in these distinct neighborhoods. 

To learn more and stay up to date on this project, visit voice.somervillema.gov/inner-belt-brickbottom-crossing. 

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.  

If you need assistance translating or understanding this information, please call 311 (617-666-3311) or contact us at soia@somervillema.gov. The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.