IMPROVE LOWER BASIN PATHWAYS AND PARKLANDS

October 17, 2011

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation(MassDOT) and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) are currently holding public meetings to discuss the Charles River Basin Connectivity Study.  This study is designed to identify issues with and ultimately improve the 17+ miles of connected pathways circling the Charles River Lower Basin.  

TAKE ACTION!

The third and final public meeting will be held tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at the Morse School in Cambridge.  We encourage you to attend the meeting to learn more about this study and to offer your valuable input.  For those of you who are not able to attend the meeting, please still consider submitting written comments to MassDOT at the address below.  The deadline for submitting comments is October 28, 2011.
 
MassDOT and DCR are currently seeking public input on the following:

• Areas where pathway and parkland access are limited
• Problematic pedestrian or bicycle road crossings  
• Larger scale connections, such as parklands, T stops, commercial areas, etc. surrounding the Lower Basin that are currently difficult to access from the pathways (and vice versa)
• Ideas for improving pathway traffic flow
• Ideas for improving the pedestrian or cycling experience along the pathway
• Ways to “green” the path (incorporate stormwater treatment into pathway improvements, reduce traffic volumes, increase tree cover, etc.)
• Changes to traffic patterns on surrounding roadways to incorporate more space for bicycle and pedestrian traffic

The issues and suggested improvements identified through this process will be presented at a series of public meetings tentatively scheduled for Spring 2012.  Although there is no designated funding or timeline set to implement these changes, improvements will be incorporated discretely and gradually into roadway and capital improvement projects.
 
This is your chance to improve our valued parklands, don't miss it!
Public Meeting
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Morse School Auditorium
40 Granite Street, Cambridge

MassDOT Written Comments – Deadline October 28, 2011
Reference: Charles River Basin Connectivity Study
Thomas F. Broderick, P.E., Acting Chief Engineer
MassDOT, Highway Division
10 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116-3973
Attn: Amy Getchell
amy.getchell@state.ma.us

Page updated October 17, 2011