DESIGN PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING

MAY 14, 2009

AT

WATERTOWN TOWN HALL

THE LOWER HEARING ROOM ON THE 1ST FLOOR

WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS

7:00 PM

FOR THE PROPOSED

INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT THREE LOCATIONS:

SPRING ST. AT SUMMER ST.; MOUNT AUBURN ST. AT SUMMER ST.;
ARLINGTON ST. AT NICHOLS AVE., COOLIDGE HILL RD., AND CRAWFORD ST.
Project File No. 602053

IN THE TOWN OF WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

LUISA PAIEWONSKY
COMMISSIONER

FRANK A. TRAMONTOZZI, P.E.

CHIEF ENGINEER
 THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING
A Public Informational Meeting will be held by MassHighway to discuss the proposed Traffic Safety
Improvement Project for Three Locations in Watertown, MA that includes: Mount Auburn Street at Summer
Street; Spring Street at Summer Street; and Arlington Street at Nichols Avenue, Coolidge Hill Road and
Crawford Street.
WHERE: Watertown Town Hall
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
WHEN: Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 7:00PM
PURPOSE: The purpose of this informational meeting is to update the public on the status of the proposed
Safety Improvement project and to provide the public with another opportunity to become
reacquainted with the project. All views and comments made at the informational meeting will
be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible.
PROPOSAL: The proposed traffic improvements include the installation of a fully actuated traffic signal
system at the Mount Auburn Street / Summer Street intersection and the Arlington Street /
Nichols Avenue / Coolidge Hill Road / Crawford Street intersection. Geometric improvements
are proposed at the Spring Street / Summer Street intersection. Roadway improvements include
the reconstruction of the existing sidewalks with new granite curbing and the installation of
wheelchair ramps. Roadway realignment is proposed along the following approaches: Spring
Street, Crawford Street, Nichols Avenue and Arlington Street. Full depth roadway reconstruction
is proposed along a segment of Summer Street. Roadway cold planning/resurfacing will be
provided throughout the remaining project limits.
A secure right-of-way is necessary for this project. Temporary easements or rights of entries may be required.
MassHighway is responsible for acquiring all needed rights in private or public lands. MassHighway's policy
concerning land acquisitions will be discussed at this informational meeting.
Written views received by MassHighway subsequent to the date of this notice and up to five (5) days prior to
the date of the informational meeting shall be displayed for public inspection and copying at the time and date
listed above. Plans will be on display one-half hour before the informational meeting begins, with an engineer
in attendance to answer questions regarding this project. A project handout is available on the MassHighway
website listed below.
Written statements and other exhibits in place of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the Public
Informational Meeting regarding the proposed undertaking are to be submitted to Frank A. Tramontozzi, P.E.,
Chief Engineer, Massachusetts Highway Department, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. Such submissions
will also be accepted at the informational meeting. The final date of receipt of these statements and exhibits for
consideration will be ten (10) days after this Public Informational Meeting.
The community has declared that this facility is accessible to all in compliance with the ADA / Title II.
However, persons in need of ADA / Title II accommodations should contact Angela Rudikoff by phone at (617)
973-7005, or email angela.rudikoff@eot.state.ma.us. Requests must be made at least 10 days prior to the date of
the public informational meeting.
In case of inclement weather, informational meeting cancellation announcements will be posted on the
MassHighway website http://www.mass.gov/mhd.
LUISA PAIEWONSKY FRANK A. TRAMONTOZZI, P.E.
COMMISSIONER CHIEF ENGINEER
Boston, Massachusetts
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 WHAT IS A PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING?

WHY A PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING?

To provide an assured method whereby the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can furnish

to the public information concerning the State’s highway construction proposals, and to afford
every interested resident of the area an opportunity to be heard on any proposed project. At the
same time, the informational meetings afford the Commonwealth an additional opportunity to
receive information from local sources which would be of value to the State in making its final
decisions to what design should be advanced for development.

WHY NOT A VOTE ON HIGHWAY PLANS?

The informational meetings are not intended to be a popular referendum for the purpose
of determining the nature of a proposed improvement by a majority of those present. They do not
relieve the duly constituted officials of a State highway department of the necessity for making
decisions in State highway matters for which they are charged with full responsibility.

WHAT DOES A PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING ACCOMPLISH?

It is designed to ensure the opportunity for, or the availability of, a forum to provide
factual information which is pertinent to the determination of the final alternative considered by
the State to best serve the public interest, and on which improvement projects are proposed to be
undertaken.

It is important that the people of the area express their views in regard to the proposal
being presented, so that views can be properly recorded in the minutes of the meeting. These
minutes will be carefully studied and taken into consideration in the determination of the final
design.

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 RIGHT OF WAY ISSUES

A secure right of way is necessary for this project. Temporary easements may be required. Your
municipality is responsible for acquiring all necessary rights in private or public lands. If your
property is affected, your rights are fully protected under law. Briefly, here are some of the
answers to questions you might ask.

1. REASON FOR PROJECT?

The completion of this project will serve local needs. The proposed enhancement
will also be in the interest of others in the greater community, and provide for the
public good.

2. WHO CONTACTS ME?

Representatives of the municipality have already contacted or will contact you.

They will explain the procedures used in acquiring any necessary rights in land.

3. WHAT ABOUT DONATIONS? WHAT IS A RIGHT OF ENTRY?

Town officials will often seek donations, of parcels, where permanent rights are
required. This procedure will minimize the acquisition cost for your community.

A Right of Entry is a document that is signed by the owner. It allows the

Contractor to perform certain types of work on the owner’s land. The work is
usually minor in nature and frequently consists of loaming/seeding behind
sidewalks, new driveway apron work, grading/sloping, and wetland protection,
etc. The rights granted are temporary in nature.

4. WHAT IS A FAIR PRICE FOR THE ACQUIRED PARCELS?

In the event that donations are not considered, or completed, every effort will be
made to ensure that an equitable value is awarded. Municipal and/or outside
appraisers will complete an appraisal. Consideration is given to the type of rights
needed, whether in fee, permanent or temporary easements. The appraisal will be
the basis for arriving at a fair price (for damages that result).

5. MUST I ACCEPT THE MUNICIPALITY OFFER?

No, if the owner feels that the offer is not fair the owner may petition the courts.
This action does not stop or delay the acquisition. The action must occur within 3
years. The owner(s) may be paid pro tanto (for the time being). The pro tanto
payment will not prejudice the court’s final decision.

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LOCUS MAP

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Purpose of the Proposed Project

The purpose of the proposed project is to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety and increase
capacity to handle future traffic volumes through reconstruction of intersections, including
sidewalks and geometric improvements at the following three locations: Mount Auburn Street at
Summer Street; Summer Street at Spring Street; and Arlington Street at Nichols Avenue,
Coolidge Hill Road, and Crawford Street. Traffic signal installations are proposed at Mount
Auburn Street at Summer Street and at Arlington Street at Nichols Avenue, Coolidge Hill Road,
and Crawford Street.

Project Locations and Limits

Project limits along Mount Auburn Street extend approximately 160 feet on either side of the
Summer Street intersection. Project limits along Spring Street extend approximately 120 feet on
either side of the Summer Street intersection. Summer Street reconstruction will extend from its
intersection with Mount Auburn Street to approximately 230 feet beyond Spring Street, a total
distance of approximately 620 feet. At the Arlington Street at Nichols Avenue, Coolidge Hill
Road, and Crawford Street intersection, the northern project limits along Arlington Street extend
approximately 210 feet beyond Nichols Avenue and the southern project limits along Arlington
Street extend approximately 220 feet beyond Coolidge Hill Road. The construction limit along
Nichols Avenue extends westerly approximately 180 feet, along Coolidge Hill Road extends
easterly approximately 30 feet, and along Crawford Street extends northeasterly approximately
150 feet from the intersection.

Existing Deficiencies

Mount Auburn Street at Summer Street is currently an unsignalized intersection. Mount Auburn
Street, also known as Route 16, is a heavily traveled urban arterial carrying approximately
24,000 vehicles per day (vpd). At its intersection with Summer Street, Mount Auburn Street is a
two-way roadway with two lanes in the southbound direction and a single lane in the northbound
direction. Summer Street is a two-lane, two-way roadway carrying approximately 7,700 vpd. A
high rate of accidents has been reported. The Summer Street approach experiences significant
delays.

Summer Street at Spring Street is currently an unsignalized intersection with both Spring Street
approaches under stop-sign control. The northern leg of Spring Street is a two-way roadway. The
southern Spring Street leg has been converted to one-way approaching the intersection. Spring
Street carries approximately 4,100 vpd. A high rate of accidents has been also reported at the
location.

All legs of the Arlington Street at Nichols Avenue, Coolidge Hill Road, and Crawford Street
intersection are two-way two-lane roadways. Flashing yellow signals are provided for the
Arlington Street approaches. The Nichols Avenue, Coolidge Hill Road and Crawford Street
approaches are stop sign controlled with flashing red signals. Traffic volumes along Arlington
Street are approximately 13,600 vpd and along Nichols Avenue is approximately 5,600 vpd. The
side street approaches experience significant delays.

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Proposed Improvements

At the Mount Auburn Street at Summer Street intersection, the proposed improvements include
installation of traffic and pedestrian signals. At the Summer Street at Spring Street intersection,
geometric improvements are proposed. At the Arlington Street at Nichols Avenue, Coolidge Hill
Road, and Crawford Street intersection, the proposed improvements include installation of traffic
and pedestrian signals. Exclusive left turn lanes are proposed along the Arlington Street
approaches and an exclusive right turn lane is proposed along the Nichols Avenue approach.
Crawford Street is proposed to become a one-way roadway at this intersection.

In an effort to improve pedestrian safety, sidewalk improvements are proposed for this project in
accordance with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Access Board
(AAB), MassHighway and the Town standards. The improvements include reconstructing
sidewalks and wheelchair ramps within the project limits in accordance with the current
ADA/AAB standards. Crosswalks will be provided across the approaches of the Summer Street
at Spring Street intersection and the Arlington Street at Nichols Avenue, Coolidge Hill Road, and
Crawford Street intersection. Crosswalks are also proposed at the Summer Street approach to
Mount Auburn Street and the southern Mount Auburn Street approach to Summer Street.

Land Acquisition (Right of Way Impacts)

Preliminary Right of Way Plans have been prepared. No permanent land acquisitions are
required to construct the proposed improvements. Rights of entries are necessary for grading at
some driveways, walkways, and landscaped areas.

Maintenance of Traffic

During construction, roadways in the project area will remain open to traffic. Occasional traffic
disruptions may occur. However, one-way lane closures will be only allowed during non-peak
hours in order to limit inconvenience to the public and reduce potential delay. Access to abutting
properties will be maintained during construction.

Project Status and Schedules

The plans on display are from the 100% Submission to MassHighway. Comments received this
evening will be reviewed and may be used to amend the plans in proceeding towards the
submission of final plans, specifications, and estimates to be used for construction. Construction
is expected to be advertised this summer. Once started, the construction is expected to take about
2 to 2.5 years to complete.

Project Cost

The estimated cost of construction is about $1.5 million utilizing a combination of Federal and
State funds.

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 THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

Town of Watertown, MA.

Intersection Improvements at Three Locations

Project File No. 602053

This sheet is provided for your comments. Your input is solicited and appreciated.
Please return your sheet, with comments, to a staff member at the meeting, or mail to:

Frank A. Tramontozzi, P.E., Chief Engineer

Massachusetts Highway Department
10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116-3973

The final date for receipt of written statements and exhibits will be ten (10) days after the Public
Informational Meeting.
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 Please Fold and Staple

________________________ Please Place

Appropriate
________________________ Postage Here

________________________

Frank A. Tramontozzi, P.E.

Chief Engineer
Massachusetts Highway Department
10 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116-3973

RE: Public Informational Meeting

Intersection Improvements at Three Locations, Watertown, MA
Project File No. 602053

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