CPX Connection Study Small No Appendix

TWO FEASIBILITY STUDIES OF REGIONAL TRAIL LINKAGE
TO THE COMMUNITY PATH EXTENSION (CPX)
FEASIBILITY STUDY A:
COMMUNITY PATH EXTENSION: CONNECTION TO THE
GRAND JUNCTION PATH
FEASIBILITY STUDY B:
COMMUNITY PATH EXTENSION: CONNECTION TO THE
MYSTIC RIVER GREENWAYS AT ASSEMBLY SQUARE
JUNE 1, 2020
Minuteman
Green Line Extension EVERETT
Bikeway (Under construction) Northern
Mystic River Strand
Alewife Greenways
Y
M
Greenway ST
IC
RIVE
R
Potential Mystic River

Community Path SOMERVILLE Greenways Connector
CHELSEA
Community Path
Extension (Under
construction) Study Area
A and B
CAMBRIDGE
WATERTOWN
Grand Junction Path
Dr. Paul Dudley (In design stage)
White Path
ER
RIV
L ES BOSTON
R
ALLSTON C HA
i
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
FRIENDS OF THE COMMUNITY PATH
Lynn Weissman, Co-President
Alan Moore, Co-President
FRIENDS OF THE MYSTIC TO CHARLES CONNECTOR

Deniz Karakoyunlu, Co-President
Karl Alexander, Co-President
CONSULTANT TEAM
ALTA PLANNING + DESIGN Charlie Creagh, Lead Planner
Mike Repsch, PE, Principal-in-Charge Branden Bergeron, PE, Senior

Engineer
Phil Goff, Project Manager
A COOPERATIVE TRAIL PROJECT FUNDED BY

MassTrails, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation
and recreation
Friends of the Community Path, under fiscal sponsorship of Somerville

Community Corporation
Friends of the Mystic-to-Charles Connector, under the fiscal sponsorship of

the Mystic River Watershed Association
A special thanks to Friends of the Grand Junction Path for their contribution
ii | COMMUNITY PATH EXTENSION / MYSTIC RIVER GREENWAY / GRAND JUNCTION PATH CONNECTION STUDY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 EXISTING CONDITIONS
1.1 Context....................................................................4
1.2 Past Plans & Development ............................6
1.3 Existing Conditions Analysis........................12
02 ROUTE ANALYSIS
2.1 Study Area A.......................................................16
2.2 Study Area B....................................................25
RECOMMENDATIONS
03 3.1 Study Area A ......................................................40
3.2 Study Area B....................................................45
3.3 Funding Sources............................................50
3.4 Conclusion & Next Steps............................53
APPENDIX
Appendix................................................................55
iii
01 EXISTING CONDITIONS
01. EXISTING CONDITIONS

1.1 Context
The purpose of this study is to examine the Once completed, the CPX (under construction) and
feasibility of comfortable pedestrian and GJP (in design) will come close, but not connect, to
bicycle connections between the Mystic each other. The Study Area described above has
River Greenways (MRG), the Community the potential to form the nexus of multiple shared
Path Extension (CPX) adjacent to the under- use paths. If links between the CPX, the GJP and
construction MBTA Green Line Extension the MRG can be established, it would provide critical
(GLX), and the planned Grand Junction Path connections between dozens of miles of shared use
(GJP) system. paths throughout the region.
The Study Area boundaries, shown in purple If the CPX and GJP can be linked by an off-road
below, include: path connection, commuters and recreational users
traveling via Somerville and East Cambridge would
• The southern terminus of the existing have seamless access to job hubs such as Kendall
Mystic Greenway at the intersection Square and Lechmere, as well as the entire Charles
of Grand Union Boulevard and Mystic River Basin trail system. Furthermore, if the MRG
Avenue (Route 38) were linked to the CPX, a commuter living adjacent
to any of the burgeoning area path systems could
• North First Street at the intersection with bicycle to numerous employment centers without
the relocated Lechmere Green Line MBTA ever riding adjacent to heavy automobile traffic.
Station to the east Lastly, this Mystic-CommPath link would allow
• The planned Grand Junction Path crossing travelers on the 104-mile Mass Central Rail Trail
at Medford / Gore Street to the south (https://www.masscentralrailtrail.org ) to continue
northeast on the Border to Boston trail (https://
• And the MA28 / McGrath Highway bridge essexheritage.org/bordertoboston), a segment of
over the MBTA GLX and Commuter Rail the East Coast Greenway (https://www.greenway.
tracks at Chester Avenue to the west. org).
The Study Area

(outlined by purple
box in map at right)
includes portions of
Somerville, Boston,
and Cambridge
4 | COMMUNITY PATH EXTENSION / MYSTIC RIVER GREENWAY / GRAND JUNCTION PATH CONNECTION STUDY
Broa Bened Mystic River
dwa
Study Area and Existing Conditions
Otis
St for Feasibility Study y ict St Greenway
Austin St
Broo
A (CPX to GJP) and Feasibility Study B (CPX k Stto MRG)
Rem
s St
Ever ick C t
ett di S
Cros
t bar
St
l
Ave
way P
ce St
Planned Green Line Ext. Lom MBTA Haverhill &
orn
ran
Dor
East Broad
St
Hath
r St
Rockport Lines
Broad
e St
Existing Shared Lane way
Glen
Somerville
e
Cutt
Arlin
Georg
ln St
Existing Bike Lane Community gton
St
Linco
Linco
Existing Path School Web ln Av
Pear ste r St e My
l St
St
Planned/In-progress Path stic
ant
Ma Ave
In-progress Bike Lane Project
leas
Perk ffa
Wa
l St
nt P
in
St
s St y
wel
BlueBikes Bike Share Station
Rush
Mou
Cald
SOMERVILLE
Me
t
Underpass
tle S
Wh
dfo
Mezzo
ee
t
rd S
ler S
St
My r
lin S
Flint t
Lofts Sullivan Square
nce
Perk
t
t
ey S
Olive St in
k
s St MBTA Station
Fran
e
r St
Flor
kn
Pinc
Pear e St
Fount l St ridg
Pinc b
a in Ave Cam
r St
kne
y
St
St
St
e
Park
hton
Cross
28 Dell S
St
Spic
Brig
e St
t St
Had
r no n
nt
sce
Pinckney St
ley S
Cre
e
nt V
Washington Ave
BOSTON
Franklin Ave
t
McG
Mou
Crafts St
t
rath
DS
Crescen
St
Hw
Als
t
e Roland S
lton
l Av
to
y
t Hil
t
Tuf
Inner Be
nS
St
Know
pec
t
t
Pros
s St
t
gton S
lt R
in
Wash Cobble Hill
d
Apts
Boston St
Planned
New Washington St
East Somerville
MBTA Station
Cobble Hill Rd
1st Ave
Joy
St
Rossmore
Mansfield
Inner Belt / Brickbottom

St
St
Som
ervil MBTA Lowell Line
le Av Community
e
Lin
Path Extension (CPX)

wo
Merriam
(Completion late 2021)

od
93
St
t 3rd Ave
lar S
Pop
St
Che
Inner Belt Rd
Fitc
s tnu
h bur
gS
t St
t
Target
MBTA Fitchburg Line St
hb urg
Earle St
Gia
nt Fitc
Medfo
ntle
Ge
MBTA Commuter Rail
rd St
Horace St
Ward St 28 Mo Maintenance Facility

nsig
nor
Twin City O’B
rien
South St Plaza Hw Sav-
9
y Mor
tro
Me
Harding St
Porter St d
oR Shell
Hunting St
Ruf
Willow St
Station
Jefferson St Zin Cambridge

Fa cA Crossing
pt
Rd
Winter St irfi
eld NP
Gor s
Rufo
Marion St
oin
St
Warren St
eS
5th St
St
ert S
Cambridg tB
irst
Pat t Share
Ha
ter
e St lvd
St
mp
North St
NF
b
h (P
Wa
ton
lann d-Use
Sciarappa
Lam
Inn
Cambridge Gore St
ed) Relocated
St. Upper Gla
ss
Fa
cto Lechmere MBTA
School ry
St
Station
8th St
Grand Junction
7th St
Fulkerson
6th St
St
CAMBRIDGE Path (Planned)

t
Eas
St
ve
shire
ros A
3rd St
Berk
Otis St
edei
2nd St
1st St
M
inal
Card
5
0 0.25 0.5 Miles
1.2 Ongoing Development + Past Plans /
Studies
GREEN LINE EXTENSION /
COMMUNITY PATH EXTENSION
(EXPECTED COMPLETION 2021)
As a result of the Boston Central Artery / Big
Dig project, MassDOT/MBTA are working
together to expand light rail transit service
to Union Square in Somerville and College
Avenue near the Tufts University campus
in Medford. The GLX includes the design-
build of seven new Green Line stations on
two lines and a multi-use Community Path
Extension within the rail right-of-way from
Lowell Street in Somerville to the Cambridge
Crossing development at Lechmere Station.
Currently 20% of Somerville population is
within walking distance of rail transit today,
and 80% is expected to be within walking The green line extension routes to Union Sq and College Ave
distance when the GLX and Community Path

Extension is completed.
The GLX roll plan document indicates that

the 2.2 mile Community Path Extension in this
area will be partially at-grade and partially
built on an elevated viaduct. The CPX viaduct
is slated to touch down at the planned West
Boulevard area at Cambridge Crossing
development where paths will continue on to
the Charles River, by the North Bank Bridge.
The elevated CPX viaduct is required due
to the planned crossing of the Fitchburg A rendering of the CPX included in the GLX Roll Plan
Commuter Rail tracks.
The raised viaduct portion of the Community Path Extension crosses the Fitchburg Commuter Rail line Plan
Planned CPX access points in the study • Reduced greenhouse gases and
area include on the west side of Cross improve air quality; create opportunity
Street at Chester Avenue in Somerville for decreased household transportation
and at the planned East Somerville MBTA costs
station. The 2011 GLX environmental
assessment report predicts 6,975 daily walk • Improved access for economically
trips and 440 daily bike trips to the new disadvantaged populations, non-drivers,
Lechmere station. seniors, and persons with disabilities
• Improved public health and reduce

TIGER GRANT APPLICATION childhood obesity
(2010)
Notably, the conclusion section of the
The TIGER II application for federal funding
grant application describes the impact
to aid the construction of the Community
that various modes of transportation
Path Extension along the MBTA Green Line
have on Somerville's landscape: "...
Extension was submitted in August 2010
freight and commuter lines crisscross
by the Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning
our neighborhoods and a massive
and Community Development. The City
maintenance facility (The Boston Engine
did not win this grant funding. The CPX is
Terminal - BET) dominates our largest
being funded as part of the GLX project.
economic development district. All of
The grant application outlines the benefits
these factors contribute to making travel
of extending the Community Path as well as
across Somerville hazardous, significantly
the cost-benefit analysis.
increasing our levels of air pollution, and
Benefits of extending the Community Path severely inhibiting commercial development
include a variety of elements related to within our 160-acre Inner Belt/Brickbottom
Economic Competitiveness: District." - pg. 24.
• Promoting a long-term growth in

productivity and lessening dependency METROPOLITAN AREA
on vehicles and fuel; reducing congestion, PLANNING COUNCIL -
increasing property values; creating THE COMMUNITY PATH
opportunities for transit-oriented EXTENSION - DATA METRICS
development; fostering bicycle-related AND TALKING POINTS (2013)
business; and increasing efficiencies
The Massachusetts Area Planning Council
associate with a multimodal use of
(MAPC) released a report in 2013 titled The
transportation infrastructure
Community Path Extension - Data Metrics
Cost-benefit analysis information resulted and Talking Points. The report includes
in the following benefits from increased a map indicating the proposed CPX. The
recreation, mobility, and health and report indicates the desire to connect to
decreased automobile use: existing regional paths, including:
• Net annual economic benefits of the CPX • Somerville Community Path (1.9 miles)
as a bicycle facility are estimated at $8.6
• The Minuteman Path (10 miles)
million (low), $52.5 million (middle), and
$79.1 million (high estimate.) • Dr. Paul Dudley White Path (23.1 miles)
Additional projected livability benefits • Fitchburg Cut-Off Trail (0.8 miles)
include:
• Narrow Gauge Trail (3.8 miles)
• Reformatory branch trail (3.8 miles)
7
• Alewife Brook Pathways (3.1 miles) Environmental Justice populations,
reductions in single-occupant vehicle trips,
The extension of the Somerville Community improvements in air quality, and an increase
Path to other regional paths would fill in in the amount of open space.
part of a the critical missing connection to
connect ~48 miles of paths.
GRAND JUNCTION SHARED
The report includes regional trail user USE PATH (2015)
counts, demographic information, as well
as forecasts the likely impact on MBTA March 2015 Presentation and Next Steps
(2015)
Green Line ridership. The report predicts
that many path users would utilize the new A March 2015 presentation by the
path to travel further into Boston and other Cambridge City Council, Transportation
destinations with the addition of a safer and Public Utilities Committee provides an
facility for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit overview of the Grand Junction Path, local
users. connections, typical path segment graphics,
and a timeline of important milestones.
The demographic information underscores
the importance of completing the gap in the Additional elements of that presentation
trail system: include information about recent
coordination with the Green Line Extension
• 131,800 employees work in over
(GLX) team, Friends of the Community
8,900 businesses within one mile of
Path, Friends of the Grand Junction Path,
the completed CPX (2011 InfoGroup
municipalities, and HYM investment
Employment Data)
group (the development firm behind
• 180,900 people live within one mile the Cambridge Crossing / Northpoint
of the completed CPX (2011 InfoGroup development). The presentation makes
Employment Data) clear that high-level discussions about not
precluding various options for connecting
• 31% of resident commuters within a half the Grand Junction Path to the CPX have
mile of the completed CPX use transit to taken place.
commute to work
In the Next Steps segment of the
• 24% of households within a half mile of presentation, there is a recommendation
the completed CPX do not have access to to continue to coordinate with the City of
a car Somerville to not preclude and to provide
incentives for future pedestrian and bicycle
Finally, the report also utilized a regional
connections though current zoning update,
travel demand model indicating a sharp rise
as well as to continue to work with HYM
in future walking and bicycling trips due
on the possibility of designing connections
to the new connection. It is estimated to
from the Community Path to the Grand
generate approximately 3.1 million annual1
Junction Path into East Cambridge.
path trips -- making this one of the most
used rail-with-trail in the country. Cambridge Redevelopment Authority
(CRA) - Closing The Gap Grand Junction
The report highlights the opportunity to link Path Concept (2015)
future development to the CPX: the City
of Somerville indicated that there are 104 In a concept study generated by CRA,
acres of underutilized land within a half-mile LivableStreets, and Toole Design Group,
of the completed CPX and ~7-10 million there is a clear desire to connect the
square feet of potential redevelopment planned northern terminus of the Grand
space accessible to the CPX. Junction Path to the Community Path
Extension. Two alternative's are provided:
The report also discusses benefits to
• Alternative A: Includes an on-road
separated bike lane facility on the
northeast end of Gore Street, a shared-
use path through Gold Star Mothers Park,
and a ramp to bring the path from the Rufo
Road / McGrath Hwy intersection up to
the elevated Community Path Extension.
• Alternative B: Includes utilizing the

existing railroad right-of-way and
continuing the path north of Gore Street
to wrap around behind the Metro9 condo
building and Twin City Plaza, continuing
beneath McGrath Hwy, navigating a pinch
point created by the GLX construction, A snip of the map from the Closing The Gap - Grand Junction Path report includes "study
and another pinchpoint by the Life area-3" between the GJP at Gore Street to the CPX behind McGrath Highway near the
intersection of Rufo Road
Storage building, then connecting to the
CPX near the rail-storage area adjacent to
the engine maintenance facility.
Alternative B
METROPOLITAN AREA
PLANNING COUNCIL -
LANDLINE VISION REPORT
Alternative A
(2018)
The June 2018 Landline Vision Report
by the MAPC includes a visionary map of
regional trail connectivity, with dark green
indicating existing trails and lighter green
indicating envisioned trails (see graphic at
right.) The report includes a map document
indicating a proposed connection from
Assembly Square to the planned terminus
A snip of a map from the Closing The Gap - Grand Junction Path 2015 report includes
of the Grand Junction and connecting to the Alternative Alignments A and B, described at left
Somerville Community Path extension.
MAKING THE CASE FOR THE

MYSTIC CONNECTOR PATH
(2018)
In 2018, graduate students in urban planning
Liza Burkin (Tufts) and Karl Alexander
(UMass Boston) examined the opportunity to
route the proposed Mystic Connector along
an existing rail right-of-way adjacent to the
active MBTA Orange Line and through the
Inner Belt / Brickbottom area.
The report recommends the path run

within the existing rail corridor on the west The 2018 MAPC Vision report included a map indicating the need for connecting the
Mystic River Greenway, the Community Path Extension, and the Grand Junction Path
side of the active Orange Line tracks from (black box added for location emphasis)
9
Assembly Station south to Inner Belt Road in
Somerville, turning west just south of Sullivan
Square Station. This dead-end rail corridor
studied was infrequently utilized, but has been
improved in 2020 to store freight rail cars on
the dead-end tracks. The report recommends
the path replace one of the existing tracks in
the rail envelope.
The authors of the report write that the tracks

become active again on the western side
of Inner Belt Road. Because the Green Line
extension resulted in a loss of storage and
turn-around space, Pan Am Railways has plans
to use the tracks west of Inner Belt Road for
A plan view diagram from the 2018 Making The Case report shows the shared-use
that purpose under an agreement with the path transition from the railroad right-of-way to on-street bicycle infrastructure at the
MBTA. New tracks were laid in this location intersection of Inner Belt Road at New Washington Street and the dog park
in 2018, likely preventing a shared-use path
option within the rail bed right-of-way. The
recommendations in the report transition to on-
street bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Inner
Belt Road and New Washington Street.
GORE STREET AND RUFO ROAD

SURFACE RECONFIGURATION
(2018)
At an early May 2018 public meeting, the City
of Cambridge Department of Public Works
provided an update on the Gore Street and
Rufo Road design. The city's presentation
included information on Vision Zero and
Complete Streets designs. "Our approach
emphasizes streets designed and operated for
everyone. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists,
and transit users of all ages and abilities will be
able to safely move along and across Complete
Streets." A variety of work at and below the This plan view diagram shows the sidewalk and angled parking adjacent to Simoni
road surface is taking place as part of this Rink as proposed by the City of Cambridge in May, 2019.
reconstruction effort:
• New water main and replacement of lead

services
• Sewer main rehabilitation and repairs
• Pavement profile restoration and repaving
• Accessible sidewalk reconstruction that

includes a 10'-0" wide, two-way shared-use
path
This plan view diagram shows the multi-use path along the south side of Gore Street
extending from about 50'-0" into the City of Somerville to Sixth Street, as proposed by
City of Cambridge in May 2019
• Tree plantings and improved drainage
Construction is expected to commence in

2020. Construction may be delayed due
to construction activity being shutdown in
response to the COVID-19 situation.
NOTE: In the same period, the City of

Somerville plans to add striped bike lanes
and flexible delineator posts to Medford
Street between Somerville Ave and the
Cambridge City line near Warren Street at
Medford Street. Cambridge and Somerville
have committed to working out a design for A rendering of the proposed changes to Gore Street from the City of Cambridge public
the transition at the City line. meeting / presentation in spring 2019
CAMBRIDGE CROSSING (2019)

Cambridge Crossing is a 45-acre mixed
use transit-oriented development in East
Cambridge. The buildings and open space
will be located near the under-construction
relocated Lechmere MBTA station. The
development proposes 4.5 million square
feet of planned commercial, retail, and
residential space, with 11 acres of public
and green spaces. The development will
have a profound impact on the demand
for a variety of transportation options A rendering of Cambridge Commons from promotional materials
-- especially walking and bicycling -- in
Somerville, Cambridge, Boston, and many
nearby communities. The CPX connects to
the paths within Cambridge Crossing that
further connect to North Point Park, the
Charles River and Charlestown.
According to the Cambridge Crossing

website, protected bike lanes and footpaths
are planned within the area.
11
1.3 Existing Somerville/Cambridge municipal border. The planned
Gore Street path will be located on the south side of
Conditions Analysis the street. The Gore Street project is being driven
by utilities work and includes DivCo (Cambridge
Within the first two months of the project kick- Crossing developers) and is being managed by City of
off, members of the project team (Alta Planning Cambridge Public Works Department.
+ Design, the Friends of the Community Path
and Friends of Mystic-to-Charles Connector) In addition to the planned Gore Street shared-use
met with a variety of stakeholders to conduct path project, sidewalks and shared lane markings
critical interviews to understand path have been introduced along Rufo Road adjacent to
connections and other developments in the Simoni Rink. (NOTE: All proposed completion dates
Study Area. The Friends of the Grand Junction subject to change due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
Path was also involved in our conversations. construction work stoppage.)
Rufo Road / McGrath Highway Intersection
Members of the project team have met with
the following stakeholders: The City of Cambridge advocated to MassDOT for an
east-side crosswalk on McGrath at Rufo Road, but it is
• MassDOT: Mike Trepannier, MassDOT
not planned or funded yet.
• City of Cambridge: Bill Deignan,
According to MassDOT, the preliminary plans for a road
Transportation Program Manager, and Andy
diet along McGrath west of Rufo Road does not include
Reker, Transportation Planner
the elimination of the right-turn slip-lane onto Rufo for
• City of Somerville: Melissa Woods, Senior delivery trailer truck access to Twin City Plaza.
Planner, and Viola Augustin, Transportation Somerbridge Development Area
Planner / GLX Project Liaison
The Somerbridge Hotel redevelopment site (currently
• MBTA / GLX Team: Terry McCarthy, MBTA occupied by three closed businesses: Lechmere Car
Deputy Program Manager of Stakeholder Wash, Meineke Autocare Center, and Boston Tropical
Engagement, Marty Nee, Stakeholder Fish & Reptile) has been in talks with the Friends of
Engagement (City Point Partners), Declan The Community Path and The Friends of The Grand
O'Shea, Project Engineer Junction Path groups to develop a ramp connection for
bicyclists and pedestrians to more easily access the
These stakeholder meetings provided
under-construction Community Path Extension.
valuable insight into planned / funded shared-
use paths, sidewalk-level separated bike lanes, The project developers have indicated that it would
conventional bike lanes, and new sidewalks be a benefit to them to build a ramp along the edge
being designed and constructed in Cambridge of their property from sidewalk-level to the higher
and Somerville. The stakeholder meetings also GLX / CPX grade elevation at the rear of the hotel
furthered the project teams' understanding of site. The proposed ramp would require the proper
the MBTA Green Line, Orange Line, Commuter easements and discussions with the MBTA. At this time,
Rail, and other freight needs on existing rail the Somerbridge site developers have proposed an
tracks to access existing and planned vehicle alignment and are working with the Friends of groups
maintenance facility buildings. to improve the design. While the site developers are
FEASIBILITY STUDY AREA A: KEY not accepting / risk / liability for the proposed ramp,
CONSIDERATIONS they have expressed good faith intent to provide a
pedestrian/bike connection through the site and intend
Grand Junction Path to Gore / Medford to build it.
Street
See the analysis map and inset diagrams on the next
The planned Gore / Medford Street shared-
two pages for additional notes and analysis on the
use project will extend roughly from the
Grand Junction Path to Community Path Extension.
location where the Grand Junction tracks
cross Medford Street to Sixth Street at the
Study Area A: Grand Junction Path -
Community PathlaExtension
rS
t Analysis Map Community
p
Po Foot Path
Existing Path Extension (CPX)
Inn
er
Ch
Future Shared-Use Path
Be
est
lt
Future Sidewalk
Rd
nu
tS
Future Bike Lanes
t
Green Line Extension
Future Shared Lane Markings
MBTA Fitchburg Line
ADA accessible ramp

Fit
chb infeasible here due to
Lin
urg
wo
St grade change
dSo
t
Inner Belt / Brickbottom
Per MassDOT, planned road diet and
buffered bike lanes on McGrath from
Poplar Street to Rufo Road
Red underlay
(completion mid-2020)
indicates elevated
highway
St
u rg
chb
Fit SOMERVILLE
10’ - 16’ high granite
retaining wall
GLX tracks to
Union Square Mc
Station Gra
th
Hw
y
Future bike lanes

(per City of
Twin City Pinchpoint makes
Somerville)
Plaza this location
infeasible for future
os
nd
path location
Co
or
9
M
tro
v-
Sa
Me
h
as
rw
Ca
McDonald’s
d ell
oR
Sh
Me f
Porter
df
or Ru
St dS
t
Gold Star Planned buffered bike

CHA Care Mother’s Park lanes end at Rufo
Center
Simoni Road and become
Gore Street Rink
shared lane markings
d
oR
shared-use path Winter S

Ruf
proposed by City t
t
Warren S
of Cambridge Somerbridge hotel site and

potential ramp (shown in dashed
red line)from McGrath to CPX
Gore St
rt St
be
Lam
Sidewalks and shared

lane markings planned
for Rufo Road area
a St
on St
adjacent to Simoni Rink

Sciarapp
(per City of Cambridge)

8th St
Fulkers
7th St
6th St
CAMBRIDGE Cambrid
ge St
5th St
Otis St
Grand Junction Path has

construction funding
from City of Cambridge
(in design phase)
Thorndike
St 0 0.1 0.2 Miles
13
FEASIBILITY STUDY AREA B: KEY
CONSIDERATIONS
See the map on the following page.

Providing a trail connection between the
Mystic Greenways and the Community
Path Extension poses a number of
considerations:
• The rail right-of-way running adjacent to

the MBTA Orange Line would be an ideal
connection from Assembly Square to the
Inner Belt, but rail tracks used to store
freight cars have recently been rebuilt by
the MBTA and MassDOT.
Interstate 93 passes by above Route 38 which travels over over rail tracks. The
• While some bicycle infrastructure exists multiple layers of transportation infrastructure result in difficulty for pedestrians and
in East Somerville, it does not provide a bicyclists navigating to and through the neighborhood. Image looking north from
Brighton Street.
seamless link between Broadway and
Washington Street.
• The Inner Belt area is completely cut

off from districts to the east, south and
west due to elevated highway and rail
infrastructure, with few opportunities to
provide ped/bike connections.
• Walking and bicycling within the Inner

Belt itself is hampered by the narrow dual
culverts on Inner Belt Road, below the
MBTA Lowell Line.
• Significant opportunities to provide

pedestrian and bicycle facilities lie on
44'-wide New Washington Street and/or
along the rail right-of-way and adjacent New Washington Street has a wide right-of-way and is ripe for improvement
storage area that exist east of Inner Belt incorporating pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
Road and on the north side of the MBTA
Lowell Line and north to Sullivan Square
and Assembly area.
Grand Union
Broa Mystic
Study Area B: Mystic
Otis
St River Greenways - dwa
y
Bened
ict St
Austin St
Broo River
Community Path Extension Analysis kMap
St Greenway
Ever
ettHighway
Raised Barrier
Ave St
s St
8’-0” clear sidewalk with
ardi
ce St
MBTA Haverhill &
ran
Lomb
Dor
Cros
Rail Track Opportunity East pedestrian scale lighting
St
t
Rockport Lines
er S
Glen
Somerville beneath I-93 overpass is
e St
Cutt
Arlin for north-south
opportunity
ln St
Existing BlueBikes Bike Share Station
Community gton
Georg
Pear St
path connection Lin
Linco
l St School Web coln
Planned Path Access ste Ave
r St My
St
stic
ant
Potential Path Access Ma Ave
leas
Rail corridor ffa
Wa
l St
nt P
St
Potential Bike or Pedestrian Facility opportunity for future y
wel
38
Rush
M ou
Cald
shared-use path
Mezzo
t
lin S
Flint
Perk
n St
t
Olive St in
tle S
k
s St MBTA Station
Fran
r St
ern o
St
Mt Vernon St and Mt
Myr
nce
Mt V
Pear
y St
SOMERVILLE Pleasant / Parker St are e St
e
l St ridg
Flor
Fount
kne
logical on-street bike b
a in Ave Cam
t
er S
Pinc
connections betwen
St
St
Park
hton
Cross
8 Assembly Sq and Inner Belt

Dell S
Spic
Brig
e St
t St
Had
nt
sce
ley S
Yard 10 Lead tracks Cre BOSTON
t
McG
needed for GLX Vehicle
Crafts St
Franklin Ave
Maintenance Facility t
rath
DS
access and freight delivery
St
Hw
Als
t
e Roland S
lton
l Av and storage per the MBTA

to
y
Inner Be
Tuf
nS
Know
t
t
s St
t
gton S Wide right-of-way allows
lt Rd
in
Wash Cobble Hill for separated
opportunity BOST
Apts
pedestrian / bicycle ON
SOM
ERVIL
facility LE
Boston St
New Washington St Inner Belt: A 132-acre

Planned area with no east, south,
East Somerville Cobble Hill Rd or west pedestrian
MBTA Station through access
1st Ave
Joy

St
Community Planned MBTA Vehicle

smore St
Maintenance Facility
Mansfield
CPX is elevated 12 Path Extension (CPX) Inner Belt does not allow for
- 13 feet above (Completion late 2021) shared-use path within
grade at Poplar
St
rail corridor
Street, 170’ away Narrow dual culvert does MBTA Lowell Line
Ave
not provide space for
Lin
sidewalk or bike facility

wo
93
od
3rd Ave
St
t
ar S ADA accessible ramp
Br Ches
l
Pop connection not possible
ick tnu
here due to grade change

bo t St
Inner Belt Rd
Fitc
h
tto
bur
gS
m
t
Target
MBTA
Fitchburg Line t Pan Am has the right
rg S
hbu to use rail tracks for
St ian
t Fitc moving freight trains
eG
Medfo
ntl
Ge
MBTA Commuter Rail
rd St
Horace St

nsig
nor
Twin City O’B
rien
South St Plaza Hw
9
y
tro
or
Me
M
v-
SOM
Sa
ERV
Harding St
CAM ILLE
d
BRI oR Shell
Hunting St
Ruf
DGE Station

cA
i
Crossing
on
Fa
Gold Star pt
Sim
Rd
Winter St irfi
eld NP
s
Rufo
Marion St
Mother’s oin
St
Warren St
5th St
St
ert S
tB
irst
mbridge S Ha
ter
Park lvd
St
t mp
North St
NF
b
Wa
ton
Sciarappa
Lam
Inn
Gore St
Gla 15
ss
bridge Fa
cto
ry
rson St
Upper
8th St
th St
CAMBRIDGE Planned Lechmere

h St
t
tS
tis St way edict
St River
Broo
Gran
Austin
k St Greenway
Ever
02 ROUTE ANALYSIS
ett Ave St
s St
ardi
ce St
MBTA Haverhill &
ran
Lomb
Dor
Cros
East
St
St
Rockport Lines
Glen
er
Somerville
e St
Cutt
Arlin
ln St
Community gton
Georg
02. ROUTE ANALYSIS & ALIGNMENT OPTIONS
Pear St
Linco
Linco
l St School Web ln Av
ste r St e My
St
stic
ant
Ma Ave
leas
ffa
2.1 Study Area A: Grand Junction Path - Wa
l St
nt P
St
y
wel
38
Rush
Mou
Cald
Me
Community Path Extension Connection Wh

dfo
Mezzo
ee
St
rd
ler S Lofts Sullivan Square

St
Flint
klin
t Perk
St
Olive St in s St MBTA Station
Fran
tle
r St
t
Three route options are proposed to with the eventual long-term redevelopment
ce S
Myr
of Twin City plaza with a Phigh
St
e St
en
provide connectivity between SOMERVILLE
the Grand earl density,
ridg
y
St
Flor
Fount
kne
b
ain Av Cam
t
er S
e and the Community
Pinc
Junction Path (GJP) mixed-use project with some open space
St
St
Park
hton
Cross
28 Path ExtensionDel(CPX). One option looks at and other amenities. Options A1 and A2
n St
l St
Spic
Brig
e St
t
Had
nt S
erno
a route that maximizes use of the Grand have some overlapping scesegments, and
ley
Cre
nt V
BOSTON
St
Junction corridor and uses separated bike could be mixed-and-matched for maximum
McG
Mou
Crafts St
Franklin Ave
t
rath
lanes along Route 28 to link to the CPX. efficiency in trail construction. The following DS
Crescen
n St
Hw
Als
t
l Av
e Two other options explore a route along the three route options were analyzed: Roland S
ton
lto
y
t Hil
t
Tuf
Inner Be
St
Know
pec
St
ts
Pros south edge of the Twin City Plaza parcel

St
and connect to the CPX St

gtonusing
• A1: Rufo Road
inby a ramp- Cobble Hill
lt Rd
Wash BOST
and-path structure through private property Apts • A2: Gold Star Mother'sSO ON
Park
MERV
on the north side of Monsignor O'Brien ILLE
Boston St
Highway/Route 28. In both cases, an New Washington• St A3: McGrath Highway

improved path Planned
alignment could be possibleRd
East Somerville Cobble Hill
MBTA Station
STUDY AREA A: ROUTE OPTIONS OVERVIEW MAP 1st Ave
Joy

St
Rossmore
Planned Green Line Ext. Community

Mansfield
Existing Shared Lane Path Extension (CPX) Inner Belt

St
Existing Bike Lane

St
Som
ervil Existing Path/Trail MBTA Lowell Line
le Av
e Planned/In-progress Path
Lin

wo
Merriam
93
od
3rd Ave
St
t
ar S
Br Ches
l
Pop
St
ick tnu
bo t St
Inner Belt Rd
Fitc
h
tto
bur
gS
m
t
Target
MBTA
Fitchburg Line t
gS
h bur
Earle St
Gia
nt Fitc
Medfo
ntle
Ge
MBTA Commuter Rail
rd St
Horace St
Ward St Maintenance Facility

A3 Twin City
28 Mo
nsig
nor
O’B
rien
South St Plaza Hw
9
y
tro
or
Me
A1
v-
SOM
Sa
ERV
Harding St
CAM ILLE
d
BRI oR Shell
Hunting St
Ruf
DGE
Willow St
Station

cA
i
Crossing
on
Fa
Gold Star pt
Sim
Rd
Winter St irfi
eld NP
s
Rufo
Marion St
Mother’s oin
St
Warren St
5th St
St
ert S
Cambridg tB
irst
Ha
ter
e St Park lvd
St
mp
North St
NF
b
Wa
ton
Sciarappa
Lam
Inn
Gore St
Cambridge
A2 Gla
ss
Fa
cto
ry
St
St. Upper
8th St
7th St

Fulkerson
6th St
School
St
MBTA Station
t
Eas
St

ve
shire
Grand Junction Path Extension

ros A
3rd St
Berk
(Completion in 2022) Otis St

edei
2nd St
1st St
al M
in
Card
16 | COMMUNITY PATH EXTENSION / MYSTIC RIVER GREENWAY / GRAND JUNCTION PATH CONNECTION0STUDY 0.25 0.5 Miles
Grand Union
Broa Bened Mystic
Otis dwa
St y ict St
Austin St
Broo River
k St Greenway
Ever
ett Ave St
s St
ardi
ce St
MBTA Haverhill &
ran
Lomb
Dor
Cros
East
St
St
Rockport Lines
Glen
er
Somerville
e St
Cutt
Arlin
ROUTE OPTION A1: RUFO ROAD
ln St
Community gton
Georg
Pear St
Linco
Linco
l School
Option A1 leverages the City Sof Web to build a shared-use
t Cambridge's proposal*
ster S ln Av
e My
t
St
stic
sant
path along the south side of Gore Street and extends the path's alignment Ma Ave
ffa
Plea
Wa
l St
along Rufo Road -- just west of the DCR Simoni Rink building. A widened
St
y
nt
wel
38
Rush
Mou
path route just east of the rink is also possible. Option A1 uses an improved
Cald
Me
dfo
sidewalk along the north side of McGrath Highway and connects to the Mezzo
t
rd
lin S
St
Flint Perk
St
t
CPX via a proposed 9' wide Olive ramp from McGrath St Highway and through the in
tle S
k
s St MBTA Station
n
Fran
r St
erno
St
Myr
Somerbridge Hotel development site. In the event that a ramp at Sav-Mor or
ence
Mt V
Pear
y St
SOMERVILLE l e St
St ridg
Flor
Fount
kne
Somerbridge is not allowed, ain Avthe Route 28 options are available for the other b
Cam
r St
e
Pinc
St
St
e
options as well, though they do not benefit from the short distance between
Park
hton
Cross
28 Dell S
Spic
Brig
e St
the CPX and the GJP and thet direct connections to the neighborhoods and t
Had
nt S
sce
le
Twin City Plaza. Cre
y St
BOSTON
McG
Crafts St
Franklin Ave
t
rath
*Note that the City of Cambridge's proposal for the shared-use path runs between DS
n St
Hw
Als
the south e St
l Av portion of Rufo Road and the head-in parking just west of the rink d
lan A2) would provide pedestrian and bicycle
Route A1Ro(and
ton
lto
y
t Hil
Inner Be
Tuf
Know
e c
St
p
Prbuilding. Swapping the parking with the shared-use path would be ideal but
ts S
os infrastructure improvements at the Rufo Road/McGrath

t
St Highway intersection (Image looking north east)

could lead to conflicts due to snow falling ington from the vaulted roof of the rink. An
lt Rd
Wash Cobble Hill BOST
engineered solution to protect path users could be possible, however, but would
Apts SOM
ON
ERVIL
require close coordination between City of Cambridge and DCR officials. LE
Boston St
New Washington St
Planned
East Somerville Cobble Hill Rd
MBTA Station
ROUTE OPTION A1:(Completion
RUFOlate ROAD 1st Ave
Joy
2021)
St
Rossmore
Mansfield
Route Option A1 Community Inner Belt

St
Planned Green Line Ext.

St
Som Existing Shared Lane

le Av
e Existing Bike Lane
Lin
Existing Path/Trail
wo
Merriam
93
od
Planned/In-progress Path 3rd Ave

St
t
In-progress Bike Lane Project ar S
l
Pop Rt 28 cycle track
St
Che
Inner Belt Rd
Fitc completion
stnu
h bur
gS mid-2020
t St
t
Target
MBTA Proposed path spur
Fitchburg Line t from Somerbridge Ramp
gS
Earle St c h bur to CPX at-grade
Gia
nt Fit Brick
b ottom
Medfo
ntle
Ge
MBTA Commuter Rail
rd St
Horace St

nsig
nor
Twin City O’B
rien Proposed ramp adjacent
South St Plaza Hw
9
y to planned Somerbridge
tro
or
Me
A1 Hotel building (planned

v-
SOM
Sa
ERV
to be 9’-0” wide)
Harding St
CAM ILLE
d
BRI oR Shell
Hunting St
Ruf
DGE
Willow St
Station

cA
i
Crossing
on
Fa
Gold Star pt
Sim
Rd
Winter St irfi
eld NP
s
Rufo
Marion St
Mother’s oin
St
Warren St
5th St
St
ert S
Cambridg tB
irst
Ha
ter
e St Park lvd
St
mp
North St
NF
b
Wa
ton
Sciarappa
Lam
Inn
Gore St
Gla
Cambridge Gore Street ss
Fa
shared-use path Proposed Rufo Road cto
ry
St
St. Upper
8th St
connection through
7th St

Fulkerson
(under design)
6th St
School
St
Twin City plaza area MBTA Station

t
Eas
St

ve
shire

ros A
3rd St
Berk

edei
2nd St
1st St
al M
in
Card
0 0.25 0.5 Miles

17
CPX Pylons
GLX to Union Square

Detention Basin
CPX is elevated
The area north of the CPX is
on viaduct
a secure area for the MBTA
and will be fenced off and
Sav-Mor GLX Support Structure closed to the public
To provide continuity at pinch

Granite point if the Sav-Mor ramp is
retaining CPX alignment leaves 5’ - 6’ pinch
point between sloping overhead implemented, either:
wall • Build a new bridge deck (in blue)
structure (~6’-0” vertical clearance)
and top of retaining wall at the top of the existing retaining
Potential ramp
wall to support path, or
incorporated into
• Elevate path on small-span
future development of
structure that brides over the
Sav-Mor parcel
retaining wall at the corner of the MBTA Access Road
(switchback required,
Somerbridge property
not shown)
Som
brid
ge
er v
ille
m
Planned Planned
C a
Somerbridge Somerbridge 14’-9” clear
Hotel building Hotel parking between GLX
footprint lot area support columns Line indicates CPX
touch down from
viaduct to at-grade
rville
Camb
Some
ridge
8’-6” path width

ell required at
Planned Sh 10’-6” clearance
Somerbridge
between GLX
Hotel parcel
support columns
boundary
AD
O RO Potential path spur configuration
RUF at-grade from rear of
Somerbridge site to CPX at-grade Planned MBTA chain link fence
Proposed 9’-0” wide Sh
Somerbridge pedestrian
ell would require minor
Mc modifications to accommodate
GR and bicycle ramp
ATH Somerbridge path spur from CPX
HIG alignment to Somerbirdge bike/ped ramp
HW
AY
/ RO
UT
E2
8
Superior
Diagram illustrating the potential link between the Community Path Extension and a future ramp within the Somerbridge site and additional constraints
Nut
0 100 Feet 200 Feet
CPX-TO-GJP EVALUATION TABLE

ROUTE OPTION A1: RUFO ROAD
EVALUATION CRITERIA
SAFETY / COMFORT CONNECTIVITY PROPERTY ROW
• Most of route is highly visible • Much of the corridor is within

with lots of “eyes on the trail”. • Provides strong access to both Twin City public street rights of way.
shopping and Gold Star Mothers Park. • Incorporates planned/
PROS • Route will include primarily • Enhanced access to the path connection funded projects along Gore St
sidepath designs with some from East Cambridge neighborhood. (City of Cambridge) and at the
separated bike lanes in places. Somerbridge hotel site.
• Will require negotiations with

• Route incorporates a number of both City of Cambridge and DCR
90-degree angle turns (along Rufo • Narrow (9'-0") and winding ramp within to provide ADA-compliant route
Rd and within the Somerbridge the Somerbridge project creates some along Rufo Rd and the west side of
project). awkward connections to the CPX. the skating rink building.
CONS • Bottom end of the Somerbridge • Path connection from Gore Street along • Ongoing negotiations with
project ramp will require creative the Rufo Rd right-of-way between the Somerbridge developer required.
design for safe access to the Route CHA building and Simoni Rink will be tight • Future negotiations with
28 corridor. due to two-way traffic and likely desire to potential Sav-Mor developer
preserve parking. required.
ROUTE OPTION A1: RUFO ROAD IMPACTED PROPERTIES
A1: RUFO ROAD IMPACTED PROPERTIES MAP
A1: RUFO ROAD IMPACTED PROPERTIES TABLE

ROUTE
USE SITE OWNER OWNER

ID LOT SIZE OWNER NOTES
CODE ADDRESS SHIP ADDRESS
PO BOX
Twin City Plaza
01 3230 22 McGrath Hwy 11.75 acres Private 790830, San Twin City Plaza retail
LLC
Antonio, TX
City of City Hall,
02 936 161 Gore St 0.27 acres Public Rufo Road ROW
Cambridge Cambridge, MA
City of 57 Inman St,
03 930 123 Gore St 3.93 acres Public Gold Star Mothers Park
153 Russell Ave, Somerbridge Hotel Site (formerly
04 3350 1 McGrath Hwy 0.37 acres Private Anthony Previte
Watertown, MA coin-op car wash)
A1
263 Monsignor 153 Russell Ave, Somerbridge Hotel Site (formerly
05 316 0.37 acres Private Anthony Previte
O'Brien Hwy Watertown, MA storage / warehouse)
# Monsignor 10 Park Plaza,
06 975 0.66 acres Public MBTA GLX site
O'Brien Hwy Boston, MA
# Charlestown 10 Park Plaza,
Ave Boston, MA
575 Market
32R Charlestown DW NP
08 013 21.88 acres Private Street, San GLX Site / Cambridge Crossing
Ave Property, LLC
Francisco, CA
Source: https://docs.digital.mass.gov/dataset/massgis-data-standardized-assessors-parcels
19
s
Cre
y St
BOSTON
McG
Crafts St
Franklin Ave
t
rath
DS
St
Hw
Als
t
e Roland S
lton
l Av
ton
y
t Hil
Inner Be
Tuf
Know
pec
St
ts S
Pros
ROUTE OPTION A2: GOLD tSTAR MOTHERS PARK
t
on St
lt Rd
g
W ashin Cobble Hill BOST
Option A2 leverages the City of Cambridge's proposal to Apts
and through a redevelopment ON site currently
SOM
build a shared use path along the south side of Gore Street
Boston St occupied by the Sav-MorERVLiquors.
ILLE (In the event
and extends the path alignment through Gold Star New Mother's
Washington St that a ramp at Sav-Mor or Somerbridge is not
Planned
Park, uses portions of Rufo Road and connects to the allowed, the Route 28 options are available for
East Somerville bble Hill Rd
CPX via a potential path and
MBTA ramp from McGrathCoHighway
Station the other options as well.)
1st Ave
Joy
ROUTE OPTION A2: GOLD STAR MOTHERS PARK
St
Rossmore
Mansfield

St

St

le Av
e Existing Bike Lane
Proposed Gold Star Mother’s
Lin
Existing Path/Trail park pedestrian path widening

wo
Merriam
93
od
Planned/In-progress Path (existing paths not wide 3rd Ave

St
t
l enough for multi-use path)
St
Che
Inner Belt Rd
Fitc completion
h bur stnut
gS mid-2020 St
t
Target
MBTA
Fitchburg Line t
gS
Earle St c h bur
Gia
nt Fit Brick
bottom
Medfo
ntle
Ge
MBTA Commuter Rail
rd St
Horace St

nsig
nor
Twin City O’B
rien
South St Plaza Hw Proposed
9
y
tro
or pedestrian ramp
Me
M
v-
SOM adjacent to
Sa
ERV
Harding St
CAM ILLE Sav-Mor building

d
BRI oR Shell
Hunting St
Ruf
DGE
Willow St
Station

cA
i
Crossing
on
Fa
Gold Star
A2 pt
Sim
Rd
Winter St irfi
eld NP
s
Rufo
Marion St
Mother’s oin
St
Warren St
5th St
St
ert S
Cambridg tB
irst
Ha
ter
e St Park lvd
St
mp
North St
NF
b
Wa
ton
Sciarappa
Lam
Inn
Gore St
Gla
ss
Cambridge Fa
cto
ry
St
St. Upper Gore Street

8th St
7th St

Fulkerson
6th St
School shared-use path
St
MBTA Station
t
Eas
(under design)
St

ve
shire

ros A
3rd St
Berk

edei
2nd St
1st St
al M
in
Card
CPX-TO-GJP EVALUATION TABLE 0.25

0 0.5 Miles
ROUTE OPTION A2: GOLD STAR MOTHER'S PARK
EVALUATION CRITERIA
• Most of route is highly visible with • Much of the corridor is within public
lots of “eyes on the trail”. • Provides strong access to
Gold Star Mothers Park and East street rights of way, or in City park.
PROS • Route will include primarily sidepath Cambridge neighborhood. • Incorporates planned/funded project
designs with some separated bike along Gore St (City of Cambridge) .
lanes in places. • Most direct link to the CPX
from the Grand Junction Path.
• Even with a wider path through the

park, some conflicts with playground
and play field users is likely at peak • Many unknowns related to timeline for
times. the redevelopment of the Sav-Mor site.
• Requires some access through
CONS • Route includes a pinch point behind parking lot to reach Twin City • Potential concern about widening Gold
the Somerbridge project due to Plaza businesses. Star Mother’s Park paths by Cambridge
support columns for the CPX. Community Development Department and/
or the Open Space Committee.
• Loss of mature trees as result of
necessary path widening.
ROUTE OPTION A2: GOLD STAR MOTHERS PARK IMPACTED PROPERTIES
A2: GOLD STAR MOTHERS PARK IMPACTED PROPERTIES MAP
A2: GOLD STAR MOTHERS PARK IMPACTED PROPERTIES TABLE

ROUTE
USE SITE OWNER

CODE ADDRESS ADDRESS
PO BOX
Twin City Plaza
LLC
Antonio, TX
City of City Hall,
02 936 161 Gore St 0.27 acres Public Rufo Road ROW
City of 57 Inman St,
03 930 123 Gore St 3.93 acres Public Gold Star Mothers Park
A2 Cambridge Cambridge, MA
153 Russell Ave, Somerbridge Hotel Site (formerly
04 3350 1 McGrath Hwy 0.37 acres Private Anthony Previte
Watertown, MA coin-op car wash)
263 Monsignor 153 Russell Ave, Somerbridge Hotel Site (formerly
05 316 0.37 acres Private Anthony Previte
O'Brien Hwy Watertown, MA storage / warehouse)
# Monsignor 10 Park Plaza,
21
l St Web coln
ste Ave
r St My
St
stic
sant
Ma Ave
ffa
Plea
Wa
l St
St
y
nt
wel
38
Rush
Mou
Cald
Me
dfo
Mezzo
t
rd
lin S
St
Flint Perk
St
t
Olive St in
tl e S
k
s St MBTA Station
n
Fran
r St
erno
St
Myr
ence
Mt V
Pear
y St
SOMERVILLE l e St
St ridg
Flor
ounta F
kne
b
ROUTE OPTION A3: in AvMCGRATH HIGHWAY Cam
r St
e
Pinc
St
St
e
Park
hton
Cross
28 A3 incorporates a shared
Option Dell S use path along the Grand
Spic
Brig
e St
t St
Had
Junction corridor to the MBTA Fitchburg Line, a shared nt
sce
le
Cre
y St
bikeway along the service drive behind the Twin City Plaza BOSTON
McG
Crafts St
Franklin Ave
t
rath
and a mix of existing and proposed bike lanes on Route 28 to DS
n St
Hw
Als
t
provide Ave
Hill a link to the Lechmere Green Line station. Roland S
ton
lto
y
Inner Be
Tuf
ect
Know
St
p
ts S
Pros
t
t
gton S
lt Rd
in
Apts ON
SOM
ERVIL
LE
Boston St
New Washington St
Planned
MBTA Station View of potential shared driveway area behind Twin City Plaza
1st Ave
Joy
(Completion late 2021) building (Image: Google street view, Sept. 2018)
ROUTE OPTION A3: MCGRATH HIGHWAY
St
Rossmore
Mansfield

St

St

le Av
e Existing Bike Lane Proposed shared
Lin
Existing Path/Trail driveway / bike route

wo
Merriam
93
behind Twin City Plaza
od
Planned/In-progress Path 3rd Ave

St
t
l retail stores (pedestrians
St
to use Gore St sidewalk

Che
and park paths)
Inner Belt Rd
Fitc completion
stnu
h bur Proposed shared

gS mid-2020
t St
t use path segment

Target
MBTA behind McDonald’s
Fitchburg Line t
gS
bur
Earle St nt iF tch Br
Gia ick bottom
Medfo
ntle
Ge
MBTA Commuter Rail
rd St
Horace St
Ward St Maintenance Facility

A3 Twin City
28 Mo
nsig
nor MassDOT proposed
O’B
rien extension of separated
South St Plaza Hw bike lane that currently
9
y
tro
or
Me
ends at Third St (unknown

v-
SOM
Sa
ERV completion date)

Harding St
CAM ILLE
d
BRI oR Shell
Hunting St
Ruf
DGE
Willow St
Station
Zin Cambridge
ProposedJeffshared-use
erson St
cA
i
Crossing
on
Fa
path between Medford Gold Star pt
Sim
Rd
Winter St irfi
eld NP
s
Rufo
Marion St
Mother’s oin
Cambridg St and the access
St
Warren St
5th St
St
ert S
Ha tB irst
ter
e St Park lvd
St
mp
driveway behind Twin North St
NF
b
Wa
ton
Sciarappa
Lam
Inn
City Plaza retail stores Gore St
Gla
ss
Cambridge Fa
cto
ry
Under construction
St
St. Upper
8th St
7th St

Fulkerson
separated bike lane

6th St
School
St
MBTA Station
t
Eas
inbound along Route 28

St

ve
shire

ros A
3rd St
Berk

edei
2nd St
1st St
al M
in
Card
0 0.25 0.5 Miles
Construction photo of the sidewalk-level separated bike lane on
the north side of Route 28 near water Street (Image looking north
west)
CPX-TO-GJP EVALUATION TABLE

ROUTE OPTION A3: MCGRATH HIGHWAY
EVALUATION CRITERIA
• Access through either the
Somerbridge or Sav-Mor
• Maximizes Grand Junction Path • Provides direct access to properties is not required.
corridor. businesses along O’Brien Hwy • Negotiations with MBTA for
• Creates additional incentive between Rufo Road and N 1st St. use of GLX land is not required.
PROS for DCR/MassDOT to provide • Shortest route to Lechmere • If trail easement isn't feasible
separated bike lanes on O’Brien Station and to path within on north side of Twin City
Hwy. Cambridge Crossing. Property, can utilize features of
options A or B to go from Gore to
McGrath.
• Requires a shared roadway with

delivery vehicles behind Twin City
Plaza.
• Requires negotiations with
• Lack of visibility along west • Lack of connections to East Twin City Plaza property owners
half of the route will create an Cambridge neighborhood, Twin City / MassDOT for trail easement.
intimidating environment for some Plaza businesses, and Gold Star
CONS path users, especially at night. Mother's Park. • MassDOT buy-in required to
provide separated bike lane in
• Noise and air pollution exposure • Significant out of direction travel inbound direction.
for users since route is on McGrath for access to CPX, westbound.
Highway. Higher stress and danger
due to presence of cars.
23
ROUTE OPTION A3: MCGRATH HIGHWAY IMPACTED PROPERTIES
A3: MCGRATH HIGHWAY IMPACTED PROPERTIES MAP
A3: MCGRATH HIGHWAY IMPACTED PROPERTIES TABLE

ROUTE
USE SITE OWNER

CODE ADDRESS ADDRESS
PO BOX
Twin City Plaza
LLC
Antonio, TX
A3
575 Market
32R Charlestown DW NP
02 013 21.88 acres Private Street, San Cambridge Crossing
Ave Property, LLC
Francisco, CA
2.2 Study Area B: Mystic River Greenways -
Community Path Extension Connection
Three route options are proposed to provide Washington Street to create a protected facility
connectivity between the Mystic River for bicyclists on these busy roadways. The
Greenways (MRG) and the Community Path following three route options were analyzed:
Extension (CPX). The primary option looks
at a route that incorporates the underutilized • B1: Rail Corridor
west portion of the rail corridor that carries
the Orange Line and two MBTA commuter rail • B2: East Somerville On-Street
lines. This study also explores alternatives
• B3: Sullivan Square Cycle Track to
that avoid use of the rail corridor. One option
proposes striped bike lanes on a handful
Brickbottom / Cambridge Crossing
of streets in East Somerville, while the
other proposes to widen sidewalks in the
Sullivan Square MBTA station area and along
STUDY AREA B: ROUTE OPTIONS OVERVIEW MAP
Grand Union
Broa Bened Mystic
Planned Green Line Ext. Otis dwa
St y ict St
Austin St
Broo River
Existing Shared Lane k St Greenway
Existing Bike Lane Ever
ett Ave St
s St
Existing Path/Trail ardi
ce St
MBTA Haverhill &
ran
Lomb
Dor
Cros
East
St
r St
Planned/In-progress Path Rockport Lines

Glen
Somerville
e
e St
Cutt
Arlin
ln St
Community gton
Georg
Pear St
Linco
Linco
ste r St e My
t St
asan stic
Ma Ave
ffa
B2
le
Wa
l St
nt P
St
wel y 38
Rush
Mou
Cald
Me
Wh
dfo
Mezzo
ee
t
rd S
ler S
lin S
Flint t
Perk
t
Olive St in
tle S
k
s St MBTA Station
Fran
r St
St
Myr
nce
Pear
y St
SOMERVILLE e St
e
l St ridg
Flor
Fount
kne
b
ain Ave Cam
r St
Pinc
St
St
e
Park
B3
hton
Cross
28 Dell S
St
Spic
Brig
e St
t St
Had
rnon
nt
sce
ley S
Cre
e
nt V
BOSTON
t
McG
Mou
Crafts St
Franklin Ave
t
rath
DS
St
Hw
Als
t
ve Roland S
lton
ill A
to
y
Inner Be
Tuf
H
nS
ect
Know
p
t
t
Pros
s St
t
gton S
lt Rd
in
Apts ON
SOM
ERVIL
LE
B1
Boston St
New Washington St
Planned
MBTA Station
1st Ave
Joy

B3
St
Rossmore
Community
Mansfield
Path Extension (CPX) Inner Belt

St
St
Som
le Av
e
Lin
wo
Merriam
93
od
3rd Ave 25
St
t
ar S
Br Ches
l
Pop
St
ick tn
bo
Inne
F
t
Option B1 would envision the replacement of one of the dead end freight
ROUTE OPTION B1: RAIL CORRIDOR rail tracks with a shared use path connection (Image taken from Brighton
Option B1 relies on the use of the underutilized west edge of St, looking south)
the approximately 25'-wide rail right-of-way to provide a rail-
with-trail connection from the Mystic River Greenway Path
next to the Partners Building down to the Inner Belt, where
the route would continue west along a two-way separated
bike lane alongside a narrower New Washington Street. The
10' - 12' wide rail-with-trail (with discreet sections potentially
narrowing to 8') could replace one of the two underutilized
dead-end freight tracks, with an 8'-tall security fence
between the path and the remaining rail tracks.
ROUTE OPTION B1: RAIL CORRIDOR
Grand Union
Route Option B1 Broa Bened Mystic
Otis dwa
St y ict St
Austin St
Planned Green Line Ext. Broo River
k St Greenway
Existing Shared Lane
Ever
Existing Bike Lane ett A
St
s St
ve ardi
ce St
MBTA Haverhill &
ran
Lomb
Dor
Cros
Existing Path/Trail East

St
r St
Rockport Lines
Glen
Somerville
e
e St
Planned/In-progress Path
Cutt
Arlin
ln St
Community gton
Georg
Pear St
Linco
Linco
ste r St e My
t St
stic
asan Ma Ave
Proposed off-road path ffa
le
Wa
l St
nt P
connection along dead-end

St
wel y 38
Rush
Mou
tracks for freight car storage

Cald
Me
dfo
Mezzo
t
rd S
lin S
Flint
Perk
t
n St
t
Olive St in
tle S
k
s St MBTA Station
Fran
r St
erno
St
Myr
nce
Mt V
Pear
y St
SOMERVILLE e St
e
l St ridg
Flor
Fount
kne
b
ain Ave Cam
r St
Pinc
St
St
e
Park
hton
Cross
28 Switchback ramp
Dell S
Spic
Brig
e St
t connection from proposed St
Had
nt
shared-use path to the sce
ley S
Cre BOSTON
south side of Cambridge St
t
McG
Crafts St
Franklin Ave
t
rath
DS
B1
St
Hw
Als
t
ve Roland S
lton
ill A
to
y
Inner Be
Tuf
H
nS
ect
Know
p
t
t
Pros
s St
t
gton S
lt Rd
in
Apts ON
SOM
ERVIL
LE
Boston St
New Washington St
Planned
MBTA Station
1st Ave Proposed off-road
Joy

path would not
St
Rossmore
replace track here,

Mansfield
Community Inner Belt but rather utilize

St
existing MBTA-owned
(Completion late 2021) storage space
St
Som
le Av
e
Lin
wo
Merriam
93
od
26 | COMMUNITY PATH EXTENSION / MYSTIC RIVER GREENWAY / GRAND JUNCTION PATH CONNECTION STUDY 3rd Ave
St
t
ar S
Br Ches
l
Pop
St
ick tn
bo
Inne
F
t
Coming from the north, the potential path corridor would run just to the north
(left) side of the existing tracks that cross Inner Belt Road (Image looking east)
MRG-TO-CPX EVALUATION TABLE

ROUTE OPTION B1: RAIL CORRIDOR
EVALUATION CRITERIA
• Route provides full • Seamless connection with the • Extreme width of New
separation from motor vehicles Mystic River Greenway segment Washington St offers
from end to end. adjacent to the Partners Building. straightforward opportunity to
PROS • Most intuitive link between create a separated bike lane.
• Avoids need to cross Mystic Assembly Square, the Inner Belt • No need to adjust signal
Ave or Broadway in Somerville. and the CPX. design at Mystic/Lombardi St.
• Property negotiation required.

• MBTA is maintaining two
dead-end tracks along the rail
envelope to provide storage for
• Opportunity for only a freight cars.
maximum 10' wide paved path • Lack of connection to East • PanAm retains user rights for
along the roughly 1,000 foot Somerville neighborhood / rail.
section from the east end of Washington St corridor businesses
CONS Perkins St to Mystic Ave. / Sullivan Square MBTA station, • Several pinch points exist
• Lack of visibility along rail unless switchback ramp to along rail route which require
corridor route could create an Cambridge St is provided. further analysis.
intimidating environment for • Proposed path alignment
some path users. may require removal of ~12
southern-most parking spaces
at City Club (that appear to be
on MBTA property).
27
ROUTE OPTION B1: RAIL CORRIDOR IMPACTED PROPERTIES
B1: RAIL CORRIDOR IMPACTED PROPERTIES MAP
B1: RAIL CORRIDOR IMPACTED PROPERTIES TABLE
ROUTE

CODE ADDRESS* SHIP ADDRESS
Property abuts (and may

extend) into City Club
Commonwealth parking lot -- and may require
01** (n/a) Somerville -- Public (n/a)
of Mass. relocation of ~12 parking
spaces that appear to be on
MBTA-owned land.
Clear Channel 89 Maple St, Likely a billboard lease
02 Commercial Boston 1.29 acres Private
Outdoor, INC. Stoneham, MA agreement.
# Roland,
Commonwealth
02 Exempt Boston 1.29 acres -- Charlestown,
of Mass.
MA
# Cambridge,
03 Exempt Boston 4.1 acres Public MBTA Charlestown,
MA
Outdoor, INC. Stoneham, MA agreement.
B1 Donuts-N- 1185 Hancock

Donuts, Inc. St, Quincy, MA
Al-Shiblawi 92 Light St,
Falah Lynn, MA
# Cambridge,
MA
Outdoor Inc. Stoneham, MA agreement.
# Main,
MA
MBTA # Sherman,
06 Exempt Boston 0.4 acres Public Charlestown,
MA
10 Park Plaza,
07 Somerville 5.28 acres Public MBTA
Boston, MA
*Because no addresses were provided in the tax parcel ownership data, the city where the parcel is
located is used instead in this column.
**Source for Property ID 01: http://ifa.somervillema.gov.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/assessing-

maps/parcel-map-107.pdf
29
ROUTE OPTION B2 & B3: EAST
SOMERVILLE ON-STREET
Mount Pleasant St, Perkins St, and Pearl St are all one-way southbound
Route Option B2 and B3 can be considered a short-term with parking, allowing for the creation of a shared roadway environment
(Image: google streetview)
pedestrian/bicycle links to the CPX until use of the nearby rail right
of way becomes feasible and/or fundraising is complete. Though
not at the level of providing a path-like experience, these options
provide striped bike lanes, cycle tracks and other improvements to
enhance connections from the Mystic Greenways to the CPX ramp-
access point at the East Somerville MBTA Station. Both options also
feature the long-term connection to Cambridge Crossing (see B3
map) at the south end of Inner Belt Road.
ROUTE OPTION B2: EAST SOMERVILLE ON-STREET
Grand Union
Route Option B2 Stripe northbound bike lane Broa on Bened Mystic
Otis dwa
St Lombardi St from Broadway y
to Mystic ict St
Austin St
Planned Green Line Ext. Broo River
k St
Ave (pedestrians and southbound Greenway
Existing Shared Lane
Ever bicycles to share 8'-wide east sidewalk)
Existing Bike Lane ett A
St
s St
ve ardi
ce St
MBTA Haverhill &
ran
Lomb
Dor
Cros

St
r St
Rockport Lines
Glen
Somerville
e
e St
Cutt
Relocate Lombardi St sign and Rt 28/38

Arlin
ln St
Community gto
Georg
Pear highway wayfinding sign away from then St Linco

Linco
l St School
center ofWexisting
ebste sidewalk ln Av
e Stripe southbound
r St My east
t St
bike lane along stic
asan Ma Ave St.
side of Mt. Pleasant
ffa
B2
le
Existing northbound bike lane Wa
l St
nt P
St
wel y 38
Rush
from Pearl St to Broadway

Mou
Cald
Me
dfo
Mezzo
t
rd S
lin S
Flint
Perk
t
n St
t
Olive St in
tle S
k
s St MBTA Station
Fran
r St
erno
St
Myr
Replace west-side
nce
Mt V
Pear
y St
SOMERVILLE t
ge S
e
l St parking lane idwith

Flor
Fount
mbr
kne
ain Ave contra-flowCa bike lane

r St
Replace east-side parking lane

Pinc
St
St
e
Park
hton
with contra-flow bike lane from from Perkins St to

Cross
28 Dell S
Spic
Brig
Washington St to Pearl St Washington St

e St
t St
Had
nt
sce
ley S
Existing buffered Cre BOSTON

t
McG
Crafts St
bike lanes
Franklin Ave
t
rath
DS
St
Hw
Als
t
e Roland S
lton
ll Av
to
y
Hi
Inner Be
Tuf
nS
ect
Know
p
t
t
Pros
s St
t Special queue box

gton S
lt Rd
in
Wash Cobble Hill BOST needed to facilitate left
Apts ON
SOM
ERVIL
turns from Washington
LE to Mt Vernon
Boston St
New Washington St
Planned
MBTA Station
1st Ave
Joy

St
Rossmore
Mansfield
Community Inner Belt

St

St
Som
le Av
e
Lin
wo
Merriam
93
od
3rd Ave
St
t
ar S
Br Ches
l
Pop
St
ick tn
bo
Inne
t
Option B2 provides southbound access from Assembly Square towards East
Somerville using the existing 8'-wide sidewalk, while northbound bicycles would use
a striped bike lane on Lombardi Street (Image looking south west)

ROUTE OPTION B2: EAST SOMERVILLE ON-STREET
EVALUATION CRITERIA
• Provides shortest distance between

the Mystic River Greenway and the • Entire route is within public ROW,
• Pedestrians and CPX. primarily City of Somerville streets.
PROS bicyclists will use well-lit • Links to East Somerville • Leverages existing bike lanes
and highly visibly public neighborhood and Washington St along Washington St.
streets along the route. businesses.
• Comfort level for

bicyclists is fully
dependent on removal of • Requires removal of curb-side
on-street parking. parking in a dense neighborhood
• Connectivity is dependent on (multiple blocks).
• Requires crossing contra-flow bike lanes which can be
CONS a number of busy awkward. • Lombardi St creates a challenge
signalized intersections. for two-way pedestrian/bike traffic on
the east side.
• Uphill bike route on
neighborhood streets.
31
ROUTE OPTION B2: EAST SOMERVILLE ON-STREET IMPACTED PROPERTIES
B2: EAST SOMERVILLE ON-STREET IMPACTED PROPERTIES MAP
B2: EAST SOMERVILLE ON-STREET IMPACTED PROPERTIES TABLE
There are no private parcels impacted by route option B2

because it is entirely within the existing roadway right-of-way.
ROUTE OPTION B3: SULLIVAN SQUARE CYCLE TRACK
TO BRICKBOTTOM AND CAMBRIDGE CROSSING
[ See page 27 for description ]
ROUTE OPTION B3: SULLIVAN SQUARE CYCLE TRACK TO BRICKBOTTOM / CAMBRIDGE CROSSING
Grand Union
Route Option B3 Broa Bened Mystic
Otis dwa
St y ict St
Austin St
Planned Green Line Ext. ShortBrostretch of Mystic River
o S
Existing Shared Lane Avenuek travel
t lane and Greenway
Ever portion of surface parking
Existing Bike Lane ett Ave St
s St
ardi
e St
lot converted to MBTA Haverhill &
ranc
Lomb
Dor
Cros
St
St
street-level separated bike Rockport Lines
Glen
er
Somerville
e St
Cutt
lane with crash barrier Arlin
ln St
Community gton
Georg
Pear St
Linco
Linco
Sidewalk-level shared-use
ster S e My
t
St
path (remove bike lane stic
t
asan
Ma Ave
and widen sidewalk) ffa
le
Wa
l St
nt P
St
wel
38
Rush
Mou
Sidewalk-level separated
Cald
Me
bike lane (widen

dfo
Mezzo
t
rd S
lin S
sidewalk
Flint and transition Perk
t
n St
t
Olive St in
tle S
k
to parallel parking) s St MBTA Station

Fran
r St
erno
St
Myr
nce
Mt V
Pear
St
SOMERVILLE e St
e
l ridg
y
St
Flor
Fount
kne
b
a in Ave Cam
r St
Pinc
St
St
e
Park
B3
hton
Cross
28 Dell S Existing buffered
Spic
Brig
e St
t St
Had
bike lanes nt
sce
ley S
Cre BOSTON
t
McG
Crafts St
Franklin Ave
t
rath
DS
St
Hw
Als
t
Ave Roland S
lton
to
y
Hill
Inner Be
Tuf
nS
ect
Know
p
t
t
Pros
s St
t Sidewalk-level
gton S
lt Rd
in shared-use Path from

Apts Parker
SOM
St toOMaffa
N Way
(remove Ebike
RVILLlanes and
B3 E
Boston St
widen sidewalk)
New Washington St
Planned
MBTA Station Sidewalk and
1st Ave
Joy
(Completion late 2021) protected

St
Rossmore
cycletrack
Mansfield
Community Inner Belt

Potential Path Extension (CPX)
St
pedestrian / bike (Completion late 2021)

St
Som
ervil overpass from MBTA Lowell Line
le Av
e Inner Belt to CPX
Lin
and Poplar St
wo
Merriam
93
od
Short term: speed humps on

3rd Ave
St
t
lar S approach to culverts with green,
Pop
St
bike boulevard-style mega stencils.

Che
Long term: replace dual culverts

Inner Belt Rd
Fitc
s
tnu
h bur with single overpass structure, with

gS
t St
t sidewalks and separated bike lanes

Target
MBTA beneath.
Fitchburg Line t
gS
Earle St c h bur
nt t
Fi Brick
Gia bottom
Medfo
ntle
Ge
MBTA Commuter Rail
rd St
Horace St

nsig
nor Potential
Twin City O’B
rien pedestrian/bike/transit
South St Plaza Hw
9
y
tro
bridge from Innerbelt to

or
Me
M
v-
SOM Cambridge Crossing

Sa
ERV
Harding St
CAM ILLE
d
BRI oR Shell
Hunting St
Ruf
DGE
Willow St
Station

cA
i
Crossing
on
Fa
Gold Star pt
Sim
Rd
Winter St irfi
eld NP
s
Rufo
Marion St
Mother’s oin
St
Warren St
5th St
St
ert S
Cambridge tB
irst
Ha
ter
St Park lvd
St
mp
North St
NF
b
Wa
ton
Sciarappa
Lam
Gore St Inn 33
Gla
ss
Cambridge Fa
cto
ry
on St
St. Upper
th St
h St
Planned Lechmere
St
t
On the east side of the I-93 overpass, the proposed route would widen the The proposed route would include a street-level separated bike lane with crash
existing sidewalk to accommodate a barrier-protected shared-use path, which barrier along Main St from the Maffa Way bus access west of Gardner St (shown)
would require removal of the existing on-road bike lane. (View looking east. up to Grand Union Boulevard (Image: Google street view.)
Image: Google street view.)

ROUTE OPTION B3: SULLIVAN SQUARE CYCLE TRACK TO BRICKBOTTOM / CAMBRIDGE CROSSING
EVALUATION CRITERIA
• Sidewalk level cycle track or
shared use path segments of • Most of the route is within public
the route will offer well-lit, highly ROW, avoids need to negotiate
visible, and high level of comfort • Provides direct
for all users. connection to Sullivan with MBTA and MassDOT about the
PROS Square MBTA station underutilized rail corridor ROW.
• Eastbound bikes will need and businesses along • Leverages existing bike lanes
to transition to north side of Washington St. along Washington St.
Washington St to access two-way
sidepath.
• Pedestrian access on narrow • Will require significant work with

sidewalks along portions of the the MBTA and MassDOT to retrofit
corridor. • Requires some some sidewalks as shared use paths
cumbersome out of and/or cycle tracks.
• Shared use path segments will direction travel to • May require narrowing
be tight and may create conflicts access the Inner Belt. Washington St to accommodate
CONS between bicyclists and transit sidepath on north side.
users. • Limited connectivity
to East Somerville • Bike / ped / transit bridge requires
• Path users required to navigate neighborhood. negotiations among Somerville,
MBTA buses and highway off- Cambridge, Cambridge Crossing,
ramp motor vehicle traffic. and MassDOT/MBTA
ROUTE OPTION B3: SULLIVAN SQ CYCLE TRACK TO BRICK BOTTOM
B3: SULLIVAN SQ CYCLE TRACK TO BRICK BOTTOM IMPACTED PROPERTIES MAP
35
B3: SULLIVAN SW CYCLE TRACK TO BRICK BOTTOM IMPACTED PROPERTIES TABLE
ROUTE

CODE ADDRESS SHIP ADDRESS
# Cambridge,
Sullivan Square Station
01 Exempt 3.31 acres Public MBTA Charlestown,
parking area
MA
10 Park Plaza,
02 972V 0 Inner Belt Rd 1.21 acres Public MBTA
Boston, MA
10 Park Plaza,
03 9720 20 Third Ave 4.96 acres Public MBTA
Boston, MA
North River II 224 12th Ave,
04 402C 200 Inner Belt Rd 8.57 acres Private
LLC New York, NY
10 Park Plaza,
Boston, MA
10 Park Plaza,
06 9720 Rear Inner Belt Rd 22.9 acres Public MBTA
Boston, MA
10 Park Plaza,
Boston, MA
575 Market
DW NP DivCo West North Point
08 4400 250 Dawes St 5.5 acres Private Property, LLC
Street, San
(Cambridge Crossing)
Francisco, CA
575 Market
B3 32R Charlestown DW NP DivCo West North Point
09 013 21.15 acres Private Street, San
Ave Property, LLC (Cambridge Crossing)
Francisco, CA
# Monsignor 10 Park Plaza, Appears as Water Street
10 975 0.3 acres Public MBTA
O'Brien Hwy Boston, MA right-of-way.
10 Park Plaza
Suite 5720
Trust Sherman 230 Meadow
12 4010 28 Fitchburg St 0.85 acres Private & Goldman Road, Boston, Warehouse
Realty MA
Lawrence 230 Meadow
13 4010 28 Chestnut St 0.6 acres Private Realty 28 Road, Readville, Warehouse
Chestnut LLC MA
300 Trade
26-Lawrence
14 3370 26 Chestnut St 0.65 acres Private Center Suite Outbuildings
Realty LLC
5410
Winitzer
14 Chestnut St,
15 4400 20 Chestnut St 0.64 acres Private Charles M Outbuildings
Somerville, MA
Trustee
Joy St Limited 86 Joy St,
16 4010 86 Joy St 1.77 acres Private Warehouse
Partnership Somerville, MA
Public Input Summary
In order to gauge stakeholder and In Study Area A, respondents preferred
community interest and receive comments a path within the Rufo Road right-of-way
related to the six alignment options and Gold Star Mother's park over McGrath
presented earlier, an online survey was Highway. In Study Area B, respondents
created by Alta and promoted by the Friends overwhelmingly preferred a path in the rail
of the Community Path, the Friends of the corridor envelope to on-street options in
Mystic to Charles Connector, and the Friends East Somerville. See bar charts on next
of the Grand Junction Path. The survey page.
went live on April 9th and was closed on
April 21st. A link to a recorded 20-minute
presentation was included in the promotion
Of the 653 total respondents:
of the online survey. The presentation, which • respondents reported living in 59 unique zip codes
walked viewers through the three routing • 83% of respondents reported living in 9 unique zip codes in four communities
options for each Study Area, replaced what
would have been a public meeting, which 58% 14% 8% 3% 17%
was unfortunately canceled due to social
Cambridge
Somerville
distancing requirements related to the
All Others
Arlington
Medford
spread of COVID-19.
The flexibility for respondents to watch

the presentation any time (versus a virtual # of responses 379 92 52 19
public meeting held online at a set time) 111
allowed us to reach a broad audience; 650 none of the remaining 50 zip codes accounted for more than 2% of all responses
Survey Monkey responses were collected. A
Age
comprehensive breakdown of the answers to
40%
each question is included in the Appendix at 34%
35%
the end of this report.
30%
26%
The respondents were overwhelmingly from 25%
north of the Charles River. See the bar chart 20%

17%
at top right that summarizes the location 15%
12%
where respondents reported living. 10%
5% 6%
5%
There was decent distribution of age ranges 0%
among survey respondents. The majority of 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 66-64 65+
survey respondents were in the age range

Gender
between 24 and 44. 70%
60% 58.1%
There were more male survey respondents
50%
than female, although nearly 39% identified
38.7%
as female. 40%
30%
The primary questions featured in the survey 20%
asked respondents to rank each of the Study
10%
Area A and Study Area B route options. 1.1% 2.1%
0%
Respondents had the opportunity to rank Female Male Non-binary \ Prefer not to say
their first, second, and third choices. See bar Gender fluid
charts at right to see the breakdown of each

of the choice rankings.
37
Route A Options
41.4%
A1: Rufo Road 41.5%
Path 17.1%
36.6%
A2: Gold Star 45.5%
Mother’s Park 17.8%
22.0%
A3: McGrath 12.9%
Highway 65.0%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
1st Choice 2nd Choice 3rd Choice
Route B Options
73.2%
B1: Rail 19.2%
Corridor Path 7.5%
7.3%
B2: East Somerville 28.4%
On-Street 64.2%
19.4%
B3: Sullivan Sq 52.2%
Cycle Track 28.2%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
1st Choice 2nd Choice 3rd Choice
[ This page intentionally left blank ]
39
Grand Union
Broa Bened Mystic
Otis dwa
03 RECOMMENDATIONS
St y ict St
Austin St
Broo River
k St Greenway
Ever
ett Ave St
s St
ardi
ce St
MBTA Haverhill &
ran
Lomb
Dor
Cros
East
St
St
Rockport Lines
03. RECOMMENDATIONS
G l en
er
Somerville
e St
Cutt
Arlin
St
Community gton
Georg
St
ln
Pear Linco
Linco
ste e
3.1 Study Area A: Grand Junction Path - r St My
St
stic
ant
Ma Ave
leas
ffa
Wa
ll St
nt P
St
y 38
Rush
we
Mou
Cald
Me
dfo
Mezzo
Following public input and consultant team and private property owners. The Lofts primary alignment
St
rd S
Flint Sullivan Square
klin
Perk
t
St
t
O St the three route i
tle S
l n
analysis of the i ver St alternatives of borrows heavily from Option A1 Sin s t Chapter 2Station
MBTA but
n
Fran
erno
St
Myr
nce
Mt V
options proposed in Chapter 2 of this report, a includes a new Pear recommended route along the east
St
SOMERVILLE t
ge S
e
l St
y
Flor
Fount brid
kne
final recommendedain Av alignment was chosen to side of Simoni Rink. This will require coordination Cam
St
e
Pinc
St
er
St
Park
hton
Cross
28 provide connectivity
Dell S
between the Grand Junction with DCR to ensure falling snow from the vaulted
Spic
Brig
e St
t St
Had
Path (GJP) and the Community Path Extension roof does not ntcreate a hazard and input on park
sce
ley
Cre
path widening. The route will complementBOSTON
St
(CPX). The recommended alignment is outlined the City
McG
Crafts St
Franklin Ave
t
rath
in detail in the map graphic below, and in the of Cambridge's Gore Street project which includes DS
St
Hw
Als
e detailed inset maps and tables on the following a shared use pathRoalong d St the south end of Rufo
lton
l Av la n
ton
y
t Hil
Inner Be
Tuf
Know
pec
St
ts S
Pros pages. Road (between the roadway and head-in parking)

t
t
gton S
lt Rd
Wash
in Cobble Hill that provides a walking and bicycling route to
A comfortable shared-use path facility within
Planned BOST
Apts Stop & Shop. SBeyond ONGold Star Mother's Park, the
East Somerville OME
RVILL
Study Area A requires some creative thinking and recommended route includes E
a spur along Route 28
Boston St
MBTA Station
the need to engage with multiple
(Completion New Washington St
late 2021) stakeholders, to improve bike connections to the Lechmere MBTA
including the City of Cambridge, DCR, MassDOT station.
STUDY AREA A: FINAL RECOMMENDED ROUTE MAP
Community
Study Area A: CPX-GJP Proposed Path Alignment
Mansfield
Path Extension (CPX) Inner Belt

Planned Green Line Extension
Existing Bike Lane | Separated Bike Lane
St
Som
ervil Existing Path/Trail
le Av
e Planned/In-progress Path MBTA Lowell Line
Proposed Gold Star Mother’s
Lin

wo
park west edge path widening

Merriam
93
od
Proposed Shared-Use Path (existing path not wide enough 3rd Ave
St
St
lar
Br Ches
for multi-use path)

Pop Extension
St
Proposed Rte 28 Separated Bike Lane

ick tnu
Study Area A: CPX-GJP Recommended Alignment

bo t St
Inner Belt Rd
tto
Proposed ramp adjacent

m
Target Rt 28 cycle track to planned Somerbridge

completion Hotel building (planned
mid-2020 rg St to be 9’-0” wide)
MBTA hbu
Fitchburg Line Gia
nt Fitc
Medfo
ntle Proposed path spur

Ge
from Somerbridge Ramp
rd St
Horace St
Ward St Twin City 28 Mo to CPX at-grade

nsig
Plaza nor
O’B
rien 10’-wide shared sidewalk and
South St Rufo Road shared-use Hw
9
y bikeway required on
tro
or
path (under design by

Me
M
v-
SOM approach to 3rd St to

Sa
ERV City of Cambridge)

Harding St
CAM ILLE accommodate right turn lane

d
BRI oR Shell
Hunting St
Ruf
DGE N Po
Willow St
Station
int B
Jefferson St Zin lvd Cambridge
cA
i
Crossing N 1st St
on
Fa
Rd
pt
Sim
irfi
eld Planned
s
Rufo
Marion St
Warren St
Winter St
t
Gold Star
St
er t S
Cambridg Ha Lechmere
ter
e St Mother’s mp
b
MBTA Station
Wa
ton
Lam
Inn
Park
3rd St
(Completion
Gla
Cambridge Gore Street shared-use Proposed widened Gore St ss
Fa late 2021)
cto
ry
St. Upper path (under design by sidewalk on south
8th St
7th St
CAMBRIDGE
6th St
School City of Cambridge) side of Rufo Road

t St
Eas
5th St
to accommodate
St
Proposed road diet with

ve
shire
shared-use path
ros A
Grand Junction continuous street-level

Berk
Otis St separated bike lane between

edei
2nd St
Path Extension
1st St
Rufo Road and 1st St

al M
(Completion in
in
2022)
Card
0 0.25 0.5 Miles
STUDY AREA A: IMPACTED PARCELS AND RECOMMENDED ROUTING MAP
Study Area A: CPX-GJP Proposed Path Alignment

In-progress Green Line Extension A4: Provide new east
Planned/In-progress Path crosswalk to accommodate
pedestrians and bicycles SOMERVILLE
Impacted Parcels
across intersection (requires
A# Route Segment Number No Right Turn On Red
restriction and a Leading
# Parcel ID Number
Pedestrian Interval)
Recommended CPX-GJP Route
09
A3: Work with Twin City A9
A8
Plaza and DCR to relocate 04 07
03 4-6 parking spaces and 05
construct path through small
landscaped island A7
A5 08
A4
A6
06
02 A3
SEE INSET 2 (Pg. 41)
SEE INSET 1 (Pg. 41) A3: Widen existing sidewalk to 10’ NOTE: Segments A8 and A9
along south side of Rufo Road above are longer term
(requires shifting fence along edge of planning objectives only if
the park a few feet to the south and SavMor parcel is redeveloped.
01 removal of 2-3 mid-sized conifers to
A2
accommodate wider sidewalk / path)
A2: Widen existing path to 10’ - 12‘ along west

A1 edge of Gold Star Mother’s park. Work with
DCR to install snow guards on the vaulted
roof and/or provide a safety awning to CAMBRIDGE
protect path users from falling snow and ice
A1: Gore Street shared-use
path (currently under design
by City of Cambridge)
0 500 1,000 Feet
STUDY AREA A RECOMMENDED ROUTE: IMPACTED PARCELS TABLE

MAP SITE OWNER OWNER
USE LOT SIZE OWNER NOTES
ID ADDRESS SHIP ADDRESS
01 930 123 Gore St 3.93 acres Public City of 57 Inman St, Gold Star Mother's Park
Comm of 1 Ashburton Pl, DCR-owned. Simoni Rink,

02 920V Rufo Rd 0.32 acres Public Mass 15th Fl, Boston, Somerville portion
MA
03 3230 22 McGrath 11.75 acres Private Twin City PO Box 790830, Twin City Plaza parking lot
Hwy Plaza LLC San Antonio, TX
04 3350 1 McGrath Hwy 0.37 acres Private Anthony 153 Russell Ave, Recently purchased by
Previte Watertown, MA Somerbridge Hotel Site
05 316 263 Monsignor 0.37 acres Private Anthony 153 Russell Ave, Recently purchased by
O'Brien Hwy Previte Watertown, MA Somerbridge Hotel Site
06 975 # Monsignor 0.66 acres Public MBTA 10 Park Plaza, GLX site
07 975 # Charlestown 0.35 acres Public MBTA 10 Park Plaza, GLX site
Ave Boston, MA
32R DW NP 575 Market
08 013 Charlestown 21.88 acres Private Property, LLC Street, San GLX site
Ave Francisco, CA
09 3220 13-15 McGrath 0.37 acres Private Laben Realty 15 McGrath Hwy, SavMor Liquors retail store
Hwy LLC Somerville, MA
41
STUDY AREA A RECOMMENDED ROUTE: DETAILED ROUTE SEGMENTS TABLE
STREET NAME / FACILITY
ID LENGTH PHASING* | NOTES OWNER COST**
LOCATION TYPE
Shared- Short Term | Funded, designed, City of N/A (by
A1 Gore Street Use Path 860 ft and to be constructed by City of Cambridge others)
Cambridge.
Mid Term | Cost assumes removal of
existing pathway and a replacement
with new sub-base and asphalt.
Requires coordination with DCR
A2 Gold Star Mother's Shared- 430 ft to install snow guards on vaulted City of $170,000
Park Use Path Simoni Rink roof or other engineering Cambridge
solution to protect path users.
Cost does not include snow guard
materials costs nor installation of
snow guards.
Mid Term | Work with Twin City Plaza
LLC owners to remove / relocate 4 to
Twin City Plaza / Rufo Shared- 5 parking spaces indicated in diagram Twin City
A3 Road south sidewalk Use Path 560 ft on following page; includes removal Plaza LLC $270,000
of portions of sidewalk and three
trees. Includes 500' of asphalt path
and 63' of concrete sidewalk.
Mid Term | Construct new crosswalk
and curb ramps, and install pedestrian
A4 McGrath Highway / Crosswalk 110 ft signal heads at Rufo Road / McGrath MassDOT $97,000
Route 28 Highway intersection. Includes new
curb ramps and pedestrian signals on
both intersection quadrants.
Mid Term | New sidewalk-level
A5 McGrath Highway / Shared- 140 ft shared-use path in front of planned MassDOT N/A (by
Route 28 Use Path Somerbridge Hotel site to be others)
completed by developer.
Mid Term | Somerbridge hotel
Somerbridge Hotel developers proposed path. Path is Somerbridge N/A (by
A6 ramp Ramp 230 et planned to be approximately 9'-0" Hotel, LLC others)
wide with two 90-degree turns along
the eastern edge of the parcel.
Location between top Mid Term | Coordination with MBTA /
of granite retaining GLX and CPX design teams is needed
A7 wall and elevated CPX Shared- 280 ft to ensure shared-use path routing is MBTA $110,000
viaduct / CPX at-grade Use Path not precluded by ongoing GLX and
/ MBTA Access Road CPX construction.
Long Term | If Sav-Mor parcel
SavMor parcel is redeveloped, establish new
A8 pedestrian/bicycle Ramp 170 ft pedestrian / bicycle ramp from Route Laben N/A (by
ramp 28 at Rufo Road intersection to top of Realty, LLC others)
retaining wall (to be negotiated in the
future).
Long Term | Includes approx. 30'
Location between top long x 12' wide prefabricated bridge
of granite retaining to span gap at corner of retaining
A9 wall at SavMor parcel Shared- 250 ft wall; coordination with GLX and CPX MBTA $370,000
and A7 Shared-Use Use Path design teams is needed to ensure
Path shared-use path routing is not
precluded by ongoing GLX and CPX
construction.
Total Length: 3,030 feet $1,020,000
*Phasing options: Short Term, 1-2 years; Mid Term, 3 - 7 years; Long Term, >8 years.
**Order of magnitude cost estimates include 30% contingency and inflation based on anticipated
project phase
STUDY AREA A RECOMMENDED ROUTE: AREA PHOTOS
A1: A City of Cambridge rendering showing the proposed shared-use path on Gore Street from the public meeting / presentation in spring 2019.
The path is part of the formal recommendation for the CPX-GJP Study Area A alignment.
A2: Path along the west side of Gold Star Mother's Park can be widened to support a A3: A handful of parking spaces can be re-purposed to support a shared-use path
multi-use path (engineered solution to falling snow and ice from roof required) through the landscaped island between the parking area and the park
A3: The sidewalk on the south side of Rufo Road can be widened to accommodate a A4: The recommended route will use a new east crosswalk (right side of photo) to cross
shared-use path Route 28 at the Rufo Road intersection
43
STUDY AREA A INSET MAP 1: ROUTING BETWEEN GSM PARK WEST PATH AND RUFO ROAD SIDEWALK
Remove 2
to 3 parking Remove 1 to 2 parking
spaces spaces to accommodate
TWIN CITY wider sidewalk
PLAZA LLC
Widen existing path, RUFO

construct fence to Widen existing ROAD
separate path users sidewalk
from baseball field Contruct path through
bleachers existing tree island.
Requires removal of 4 to
5 trees and relocating
some sections of curb.
INK
IR
ON
SIM
GOLD STAR
MOTHER’S PARK
STUDY AREA A INSET MAP 2: ROUTING BETWEEN ROUTE 28 AND THE COMMUNITY PATH EXTENSION
CPX Pylons
GLX to Union Square

Detention Basin
CPX is elevated
The area north of the CPX is
on viaduct
a secure area for the MBTA
and will be fenced off and
Sav-Mor GLX Support Structure closed to the public
To provide continuity at pinch

Granite point if the Sav-Mor ramp is
retaining CPX alignment leaves 5’ - 6’ pinch
point between sloping overhead implemented, either:
wall • Build a new bridge deck (in blue)
structure (~6’-0” vertical clearance)
and top of retaining wall at the top of the existing retaining
Potential ramp
wall to support path, or
incorporated into
• Elevate path on small-span
future development of
structure that brides over the
Sav-Mor parcel
retaining wall at the corner of the MBTA Access Road
(switchback required,
Somerbridge property
not shown)
geSom
brid erv
Cam ille
Planned Planned
Somerbridge Somerbridge 14’-9” clear
Hotel building Hotel parking between GLX
footprint lot area support columns Line indicates CPX
touch down from
viaduct to at-grade
rville
Camb
Some
ridge
8’-6” path width

ell required at
Planned Sh 10’-6” clearance
Somerbridge
between GLX
Hotel parcel
support columns
boundary
AD
O RO Potential path spur configuration
RUF at-grade from rear of
Somerbridge site to CPX at-grade Planned MBTA chain link fence
Proposed 9’-0” wide Sh
Somerbridge pedestrian
ell would require minor
Mc modifications to accommodate
GR and bicycle ramp
ATH Somerbridge path spur from CPX
HIG alignment to Somerbirdge bike/ped ramp
HW
AY
/ RO
UT
E2
8
Superior
Nut
0 100 Feet 200 Feet
3.2 Study Area B: Mystic River Greenway -
Following public input and consultant team rail corridor adjacent to the MBTA Orange
analysis of the alternatives of the three route Line, used primarily for the storage of
options proposed in Chapter 2 of this report, freight cars. Reaching out to MassDOT,
a final recommended alignment was chosen the MBTA, PanAm, Amtrak, and other rail
to provide connectivity between the Mystic operators may be required in order to fully
River Greenway (MRG) and the Community understand their requirements for the use
Path Extension (CPX). The recommended of a short stretch of tracks in the area of
alignment is outlined in detail in the study Crafts, Brighton, and Perkins Streets. This
area map, inset maps and table below, and study recognizes the opportunity to route a
in the detailed inset maps and tables on the path along this corridor with the provision
following pages. to allow those operators to use other track
space for storing, turning around, and de-
Creating a feasible shared-use path facility coupling locomotives. (See Appendix for
within Study Area B, with the exception of a more detailed memorandum describing
New Washington St., requires the use of opportunities to relocate freight train
an underutilized portion of a state-owned storage elsewhere in the immediate area.)
STUDY AREA B RECOMMENDED ROUTING: IMPACTED PARCELS TABLE (See maps on the following pages)
MAP USE SITE OWNER OWNER
LOT SIZE OWNER NOTES
ID CODE ADDRESS SHIP ADDRESS
*01 -- Somerville -- Public Comm of -- --

Mass
02 Exempt Boston 1.29 acres -- Comm of Charlestown,

Mass MA

MA

MA

MA

MA
10 Park
07 Exempt Somerville 5.28 acres Public MBTA Plaza,
Boston, MA
*No information or data available for this parcel
45
STUDY AREA B: FINAL RECOMMENDED ROUTING MAP
Grand Union
Broa Bened page for: Mystic
Study Area B: CPX-MRG Proposed Path
Otis Alignment dwa See Inset 1 on next
St y ict S
B1: Shared-use path t
Austin St
Broo River
Planned Green Line Extension k St Greenway
SOMERVILLE B2: Perkins St connection
Existing Bike Lane Ever
ett A B3: Cambridge St ramp St
s St
Existing Shared Lane ve ardi
ce St
MBTA Haverhill &
ran
B4: Road crossing treatmentLomb
Dor
Cros
East
St
St
Existing Path/Trail Rockport Lines
Glen
er
Somerville
e St
Cutt
Planned/In-progress Path Arlin
St
Community gton
Georg
St
ln
Proposed Shared-Use Path Pear Linco
Linco
Proposed Street-Level Separated Bike Lanes ste r St e My
St
stic
ant
Study Area B: CPX-MRG Recommended Alignment Ma Ave
leas
ffa
Wa
St
ll St
nt P
St
y
nce
38
Rush
we
Mou
e
Flor
Cald
Me
dfo
Mezzo
St
rd S
Flint
klin
Perk
t
St
t
Olive St in
tle S
s St MBTA Station
n
Fran
r St
erno
Myr
Mt V
Pear
St
l e St
ridg
y
B7: Bicyclists Fconnecting
ounta St
kne
B6: Intersection b
in Ave Cam
St
Pinc
from New Washington St
St
er
improvements needed to
St
Park
hton
Cross
28 facility to CPX rampDell S to accommodate bike left
Spic
Brig
e St
use south sidewalkt / t
Had
turns from New Washington nt S
sce
ley
sidepath St to Washington St Cre
St
McG
Crafts St
Franklin Ave
t
rath
DS
St
Hw
Als
t
ve Roland S
lton
ill A
to
y
Inner Be
Tuf
H
nS
ect
Know
p n St
t
t
Pros
s St
gto
Planned Washin
B6
lt Rd
East Somerville Cobble Hill
MBTA Station Apts
BOSTON
(Completion late 2021) B7
Boston St
B5 New Washington St
B5: Path connection along SEE INSET 1

Mansfield
New Washington Street from B8: Street-level separated

Inner Belt Road to B8 bicycle lanes with flex posts
Community
St
Washington Street to be Path Extension (CPX) on Inner Belt Road (parking

either: restricted to one side)
• 12’ - 15’ wide shared-use
Som B9
ervpath
ille A along south side
ve
• Two-way separated bike lane MBTA Lowell Line 93
Lin
along the south side with 5’

wo
Merriam
sidewalk on the north side

od
Inner Belt B9: 3rd

Improvements
Ave at underpass:
St
t
lar S • Short term: speed humps on
Pop
St
B11 approach to culverts with green,

Che
Inner Belt Rd
bike boulevard-style mega stencils.

stnu
• Long term: replace dual culverts

t St
Target with single overpass structure, with

sidewalks and separated bike lanes
B11: Potential beneath the MBTA Lowell Line.
MBTA
pedestrian / bike
Fitchburg Line Gia
nt overpass from Inner Brickb
Medfo
Ge
ntle Belt to CPX and ottom
Brickbottom at
rd St
B10: Potential
Horace St
Ward St Poplar St 28 Mo B10

nsig pedestrian/bike/transit
nor bridge from Inner Belt
Twin City O’B
rien to Cambridge Crossing
South St Plaza Hw
9
y
tro
or
Me
M
v-
SOM
Sa
ERV
Harding St
CAM ILLE
d
BRI oR Shell
Hunting St
Ruf
DGE N Po
Willow St
Station
int B
Jefferson St Zin lvd Cambridge
cA Crossing
i
N 1st St
on
Fa
Rd
pt
Sim
irfi
eld Planned
s
Rufo
Marion St
Warren St
Winter St
t
Gold Star
St
er t S
Cambridg Ha Lechmere
ter
e St Mother’s mp
b
MBTA Station
Wa
ton
Lam
Inn
Park (Completion
Gla
Cambridge Gore St ss
Fa late 2021)
cto
ry
St
St. Upper
8th St
7th St
CAMBRIDGE
Fulkerson
6th St
School
t St
Eas
5th St
St
ve
shire
ros A
Grand Junction
3rd St
Berk
St
Otis St
edei
2nd St
Path Extension
Sciarappa
1st St
al M
(Completion in
in
46 | COMMUNITY PATH EXTENSION / MYSTIC RIVER GREENWAY / GRAND

2022) JUNCTION PATH CONNECTION STUDY
Card
0 0.25 0.5 Miles

STUDY AREA B: IMPACTED PARCELS AND RECOMMENDED ROUTING MAP (Inset Map 1)
Recommended
Study Area B: CPX-MRG Proposed Path Alignment shared-use path to begin
Existing Mystic River Greenways Path adjacent to Partners’ 07
Planned/In-progress Path parking garage south
entry driveway
Impacted Parcels
B# Route Segment Number 06
# Parcel ID Number
Recommended CPX-MRG Route
05
B1: 8’ - 10’ wide, paved shared-use

path to replace one of the dead-end
tracks used for freight storage (8’ tall
security fence required to separate B1
trail users from rail operations)
B2: East end of Perkins Street:

• Mid Term: Provide ramp connection to
proposed shared-use path
• Long Term: Pedestrian/bike overpass to
south end of Sullivan Square MBTA station 04
platform (will require new headhouse for
fare collection)
B2
B3: Switchback ramp
connection from
proposed shared-use
path to south side of
Cambridge Street
Note: Shared-use path to
E pass underneath a short
V ILL stretch of the Storrow
M ER ON B3 Drive westbound exit
T
SO OS ramp to avoid private
B property pinch point
93
Note: shared use path incorporates 12-14 spaces

at the south end of the Somerville City Club
03
parking lot which currently lie on MBTA property,
perhaps permitted through an easement
Note: Shared-use path runs

02
within MBTA-owned storage
yard area (no impact to
B4 existing rail tracks)
01
B5
B4: Provide high-visibility

crosswalks with median island to
B5: Path connection along safely accommodate path users
New Washington Street from
Inner Belt Road to Washington
Street to be:
• Two-way separated bike lane
along the south side with 5’
sidewalk on the north side
• 12’ - 15’ wide shared-use path
along south side
0 0.25 Miles
47
STUDY AREA B RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT: DETAILED ROUTING SEGMENTS TABLE
STREET NAME FACILITY
ID LENGTH PHASING* | NOTES OWNER COST**
/ LOCATION TYPE
Mid Term | Shared-use path within existing rail
right--of-way that is seldom used for freight storage.
Shared-use Cost estimate does not include removal/disposal of
B1 Rail right-of-way path 3,170 ft tracks and railroad ties; includes 8' tall vinyl-coated MBTA $1,480,000
chain link fence with top rail between the existing
RR track and proposed path. Assumes existing
fence to remain.
Mid Term | Path to Perkins Street to include
switchback and retaining wall to accommodate the
5'-7' of grade change; pedestrian railing included
Perkins St Ramp -- in estimate. Ramp to be constructed on fill-type MBTA $580,000
retaining wall at 8' wide with one switchback with a
B2 max grade of 5%. Includes asphalt path extension
from existing north-side sidewalk on Perkins St.
Ped/Bike Long Term | Pedestrian/bike overpass and new Long term
Perkins St overpass, new -- MBTA Orange Line headhouse required ongoing MBTA project, cost
MBTA head negotiations to determine program and scope. unknown
house
Mid Term | Ramp to be constructed on fill-type $7,420,000
B3 Cambridge St Ramp (optional 310 ft retaining wall at 8' wide with several switchbacks for MBTA (optional
project) 500' at max grade of 5%. Includes pedestrian railing project)
to be placed on proposed retaining wall.
Inner Belt Rd at High visibility Mid Term | Cost estimate includes raised, concrete
B4 New Washington crosswalk and 80 ft pedestrian refuge island, 4 RRFB's, new curb City of $210,000
St median refuge ramps, and high visibility pavement markings for the Somerville
island crosswalk.
Two-way Mid Term | Two-way separated bike lane with raised
B5 New Washington separated 1,660 ft median buffer and 5' sidewalk on the opposite side. City of $1,060,000
Street bike lane + Requires restriction of parking to one side. (Other Somerville
sidewalk option: shared-use path on south side).
New Washington Intersection Mid Term | Left turn improvements needed to be City of
B6 St at Washington improvements -- determined with input from City of Somerville Somerville TBD
St
B7 Washington St Sidewalk / 310 ft Mid Term | From CPX ramp to New Washington St; City of N/A (by
sidepath completed as part of GLX project Somerville others)
Separated Mid Term | From New Washington St to the end of City of

B8 Inner Belt Rd bike lanes 2,800 ft the right-of-way. Cost assumes roadway striping Somerville $105,000
and flex-posts only.
Inner Belt Rd Short term: Short Term | Cost estimate include 4" high speed
underpass speed humps -- bumps with stencils and large-scale, green-back City of $22,000
beneath MBTA and mega sharrows. Does not include drainage improvements. Somerville
Lowell Line sharrows.
Long term:
B9 bridge City of
Inner Belt Rd replacement Long Term | When dual culverts approach end Somerville Long term
underpass and separated -- of useful life, involve MassDOT, MBTA, City of (below), project, cost
beneath MBTA bike lanes Somerville, and Friends of groups from concept MBTA unknown
Lowell Line / widened planning to final design. (above)
sidewalks.
Bridge over
tracks to Pedestrian / Long Term | Long term project to link Inner Belt with Cities of
B10 commuter rail bike / transit 600 ft Cambridge Crossing Somerville
maintenance only bridge and TBD - Multi-
facility Cambridge, million dollar
MBTA, long term
End of Inner Cambridge
Belt Rd to Bike / project
B11 intersection pedestrian 1,600 ft Long Term | Long term project to link Inner Belt with Crossing
of Poplar St at bridge Brickbottom.
Chestnut St
Total length: 10,530 ft Total cost estimate: $2,700,000
Cost estimate for optional B3 ramp: $7,420,000
*Phasing options: Short Term, 1-2 years; Mid Term, 3 - 7 years; Long Term, >8 years
**Order of magnitude cost estimates include 30% contingency and inflation based on anticipated project phase
STUDY AREA B RECOMMENDED ROUTING: AREA PHOTOS
B1: Much of the recommended shared-use path will replace the freight storage tracks on B2: While construction of the shared-use path could also include a ramp connection
the west (right) side of the ROW. (Image: Deniz Karakoyunlu.) to the edge of Perkins Street (at far left), in the longer term an overpass linking path
users and the neighborhood to the Sullivan Square MBTA station should be considered
(Image: Deniz Karakoyunlu)
B5: Improvements along New Washington Street are anticipated to include a two-way, B9: Proposed speed humps, stencils, and a replacement overpass in the long term will
street level separated bike lane with a sidewalk level shared-use path as an option. improve access and comfort through the existing culverts (Image: Google streetview)
(Image: Google streetview)
B10: The potential pedestrian / bike / transit bridge may look something like the bridge B11: The potential pedestrian/bike overpass can link Poplar Street (in Brickbottom
designs used for the CTfastTrak Bus Rapid Transit project in Hartford, Connecticut neighborhood) to Inner Belt
(Image: Google streetview)
49
3.3 Funding Sources
Shared-use paths and trails are often SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
funded utilizing a combination of local, PROGRAM
state, federal, and private sources. Many
funding programs require a minimum local The Surface Transportation Program (STP)
match (e.g., 80% federal funds, 20% local.) provides flexible funding that may be used
In many instances, communities have by States and municipalities to preserve and
successfully leveraged grant money from improve the conditions and performance on
private foundations or state programs as the any Federal-aid highway, bridge and tunnel
designated "local" match for other funding project, as well as for projects on any pubic
sources. Land donations or time / materials road (except locally-owned roads and rural
/ labor provided by the City of Somerville or minor collectors), pedestrian and bicycle
Cambridge or Boston may be permissible as infrastructure, and transit capital projects,
the local match per some specific funding including intercity bus terminals.
programs.
The Federal share is governed by 23 United
Stakeholders in making these path States Code (U.S.C.) 120. It is generally
connections should consider working 80%, subject to the upward sliding scale
with the abutting cities and landowners to adjustment for States containing public
pursue a variety of funding sources. Over lands. 50% of a state's STP funds are to be
reliance on one funding source runs the risk distributed to areas based on population
of an incomplete path project as political with the remainder to be used in any area
leaders rotate in or out of office. The of the state. A portion of funds is reserved
following list gives a summary of the major for rural areas to be spent on rural minor
funding programs that should be considered collectors.
for the CPX connections.
CONGESTION MITIGATION
FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION AND AIR QUALITY
BILL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
The U.S. Congress appropriates funding The Congestion Mitigation and Air
for federal greenway and trail construction Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)
projects every five years. The federal provides federal funding for states to
transportation bill has been the primary support projects and programs intended
source for greenway construction money to improve air quality and reduce traffic
in the last few years. Various funding congestion. CMAQ funds (80% federal /
programs within the legislation relate to 20% non-federal) are used for transportation
trails and paths. The current iteration of programs and projects that will contribute
the federal transportation bill is Moving to the attainment of a National Ambient Air
Ahead for the 21-st Century (MAP-21). Quality Standard in ozone, small particulates
MAP-21 provides funding for trails and and carbon monoxide non-attainment
other active transportation projects within areas. As defined by federal regulations and
the Transportation Alternatives section guidance, examples of projects eligible for
of the bill. These funds are programmed CMAQ funding include:
through the Massachusetts Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP). The Boston • Bicycle and pedestrian facilities and
region Metropolitan Planning Organization programs
(MPO) revises the TIP each year.
• Traffic flow improvements
TRANSPORTATION and bike to school including sidewalks,
ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM shared use paths, bike facilities and traffic
calming projects
The Transportation Alternatives Program
(TAP) is a competitive grant program created As with other projects, the proponent for
under MAP-21. TAP provides funding for a TAP project would be responsible for
a variety of transportation project types, project design and for completing the right-
including projects that would previously of-way acquisition and clearance process.
have been eligible for funding under
separate programs: the Transportation RECREATION TRAILS
Enhancements, Recreational Trails, and Safe PROGRAM (RTP) FUNDING
Routes to School programs.
Federal Highway Administration grants
Fifty percent of TAP funds in Massachusetts administered locally by the the Department
are reserved for urban areas with of Conservation and Recreation are
populations over 200,000. The MPO available for up to $50,000 that can be
controls these funds. used for recreational projects such as trails,
or up to $100,000 if that project can be
TAP funds may be used for:
shown to impact multiple communities. RTP
• Planning, design, and construction is a reimbursement program however, so
of on-road and off-road trail facilities the project would need to be funded by
for pedestrians, bicyclists and other a local funding source for reimbursement
non-motorized forms of transportation upon completion. Grants are reviewed and
(including sidewalks, bicycle awarded in partnership with the statewide
infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle Massachusetts Recreational Trails Advisory
signals, traffic calming techniques, lighting Board (MARTAB). The next round of annual
and other safety-related infrastructure, application due dates can be found here:
and transportation related projects to https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-
achieve compliance with the Americans recreational-trail-advisory-board-martab.
with Disabilities Act of 1990)
• Planning, design, and construction MASSTRAILS FUNDING

of infrastructure-related projects and MassTrails is the lead grant funder for this
systems that provide safe routes for non- Feasibility Study. MassTrails is an inter-
drivers (including children, older adults, agency initiative of the Commonwealth
and individuals with disabilities) to access lead by the Governor’s Office, Executive
daily needs Office of Energy and Environmental
• Vegetation management management Affairs, Department of Transportation
practices in transportation rights-of-way to and the Department of Conservation and
improve roadway safety, prevent against Recreation.
invasive species, and provide erosion MassTrails provides grants to support
control recreational trail and shared use pathway
• Construction of infrastructure-related projects across the Commonwealth. Grant
projects in the vicinity of schools that amounts are dependent on the project and
improve the the ability of students to walk its needs, but generally range from $5,000
51
to $100,000 with grants of up to $300,000 The Friends of groups should work with
awarded to projects demonstrating the cities of Somerville, Cambridge, and
critical network connections of regional Boston to request specific CPX connection
significance. projects be added to the Complete Streets
Prioritization Plan.
Eligible grant activities include project
development, design, engineering,
permitting, construction, and maintenance PRIVATE FUNDING
of recreational trails, shared use pathways,
Massachusetts is fortunate to have
and the amenities that support trails.
a few private Foundations that are
https://www.mass.gov/welcome-to-
keenly interested in promoting outdoor
masstrails.
recreation and public health, and have
a track record funding open space and
MASSDOT COMPLETE greenway trail projects. In particular, both
STREETS FUNDING the Barr Foundation and the Solomon
Foundation, have provided funding for
MassDOT's Complete Streets program is a both final design and construction of
three-tiered program that offers planning sustainable transportation, parks and trail
and implementation funds subsequent projects in various communities within the
to the adoption of a Complete Streets Commonwealth. Both are very collaborative
policy by the local community (Tier 1.) in their approach with an emphasis on
After completion of a Complete Streets public engagement that could dovetail well
Prioritization Plan (Tier 2), MassDOT will with the effort to connect the CPX to the
provide up to $400,000 per year for up to Grand Junction Path and the Mystic River
five years (Tier 3) to implement the projects Greenways.
within the approved Prioritization Plan.
The Solomon Foundation helped to underwrite the design and construction of the shared use path along Greenough Blvd. in
Cambridge and Watertown
3.4 Conclusion & Next Steps
This report shows that linkages from the greenways. From a regional perspective,
Community Path Extension to the nearby seamless connectivity in the two study
Grand Junction Path Extension and the areas will help link Bedford/Concord to
Mystic River Greenway are possible but Kendall Square, the Mystic and Malden River
will require additional coordination with Greenways to the Charles River Basin paths
state and local agencies and proportionate extending from Boston to Waltham, and
fundraising. Providing these connections will Minuteman Path users to downtown Boston.
require concerted effort over a multi-year
period—with some segments likely taking The following Next Steps provide a high-
over a decade to design, permit and fund— level roadmap for the Friends of the
but the payback will be quite significant for Community Path and the Friends of the
the region. Concentrated in an area less Mystic-to-Charles Connector to make these
than a square mile, the shared-use path connections a reality.
connection recommendations will help tie
together dozens of miles of paths, trails and
STUDY AREA A: NEXT STEPS
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
NEXT STEP
FROM
Continue to coordinate with the Cities of Cambridge and Somerville Bicycle Committee
Somerville Planning and Zoning staff and the developer to and Cambridge Bicycle
ensure the Somerbridge Hotel project includes the connecting and Pedestrian Advisory
ramp from Rt 28 to the top of the retaining wall. Committees
Ensure on-going communications with MassDOT and the
MBTA’s GLX Team to ensure space is available on MBTA City of Somerville; City of
property to accommodate the path connection from the top of Cambridge
Somerbridge Hotel ramp to the CPX
Work with Cambridge Community Development Department,
Parks and Playgrounds Division to ensure a high level of Cambridge Bicycle and
comfort with routing a shared use path along the west edge of Pedestrian Advisory
Gold Star Mothers Park; work with both Parks and Playgrounds Committees
and DCR to devise a plan to protect path users from falling
snow and ice from the ice rink roof
Meet with Twin City Plaza property owners and Stop & Shop
to get buy-in on path recommendations that impact a small City of Somerville
portion of the parking lot
Coordinate with MassDOT on the installation of a new path
crossing at the east leg of the Route 28/Rufo Road intersection; Somerville Bicycle Committee
discuss opportunities to provide an extension of the separated and Cambridge Bicycle
bike lanes on Route 28 to provide bike connections from the Advisory Committees
Rufo intersection to the Lechmere MBTA Station
Seek funding through the variety of sources available, Mayors, City Councilors, DCR,
some of which are included in the Feasibility Study Report; City Planning Departments,
seek letters of support from a variety of elected officials, Advocacy Groups, and other
municipal agencies and advocacy organizations (ped/bike and stakeholders
neighborhood)
53
STUDY AREA B: NEXT STEPS
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
NEXT STEP
FROM
Assemble a coalition of path supporters that will be needed to
encourage MassDOT and the MBTA to allow the vacating of one Friends of the Mass Central
of the two rail lines within the right of way adjacent to the MBTA Rail Trail, Friends of the
Orange Line tracks from approximately Roland St to Grand Union Grand Junction Path,
Blvd at Mystic Ave. This would provide the minimum space for Friends of the Mystic-to-
the path to continue from the Partners’ parking structure into the Charles Connector, and
Inner Belt area; also requires discussion with the MBTA about an other advocacy groups and
easement through the storage yard that sits just north and east of stakeholders
Yard 10 Lead crossing of Inner Belt Road
Work with the City of Somerville’s upcoming Bicycle Master Plan Somerville Department
effort to ensure that on-street bikeway recommendations (e.g.
separated bike lanes along New Washington St and Inner Belt Rd) of Strategic Planning and
Community Development
are incorporated in the future bike network
Meet with the City of Cambridge Community Development Somerville Department
Department to plan for the long-term opportunity to provide of Strategic Planning and
a pedestrian/bicycle/ transit bridge from Inner Belt Rd to the Community Development;
MBTA Access Rd turn-around near Cambridge Crossing; requires DivCo West and nearby
coordination with the MBTA regarding the crossing of GLX and Inner Belt property owners
commuter rail tracks
Coordinate with the Boston Planning and Development Agency’s
Charlestown planning lead to gauge level of interest in providing Charlestown Neighborhood
connections from the potential rail-corridor trail to locations at the Organization and other local
western edges of Charlestown (e.g. ramps to Perkins Street and organizations
Cambridge Street)
Seek funding through the variety of sources available, some of
which are included in the Feasibility Study Report; seek letters Broad coalition to be
of support from a variety of elected officials, municipal agencies assembled
and advocacy organizations (ped/bike and neighborhood)
Existing Community Path in Somerville: With connections to downtown Boston and elsewhere, the Community Path Extension will
provide a pedestrian/bike facility for a wide range of community members in all seasons (photo credit: Alan Moore)

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TWO FEASIBILITY STUDIES OF REGIONAL TRAIL LINKAGE

TO THE COMMUNITY PATH EXTENSION (CPX)

Potential Mystic River

Alan Moore, Co-President

FRIENDS OF THE MYSTIC TO CHARLES CONNECTOR

Karl Alexander, Co-President

Mike Repsch, PE, Principal-in-Charge Branden Bergeron, PE, Senior

A COOPERATIVE TRAIL PROJECT FUNDED BY

Friends of the Community Path, under fiscal sponsorship of Somerville

Friends of the Mystic-to-Charles Connector, under the fiscal sponsorship of

1.2 Past Plans & Development ............................6

1.3 Existing Conditions Analysis........................12

2.2 Study Area B....................................................25

3.2 Study Area B....................................................45

3.3 Funding Sources............................................50

3.4 Conclusion & Next Steps............................53

01. EXISTING CONDITIONS

The Study Area

Inner Belt / Brickbottom

Path Extension (CPX)

(Completion late 2021)

Ward St 28 Mo Maintenance Facility

Jefferson St Zin Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE Path (Planned)

distance when the GLX and Community Path

The GLX roll plan document indicates that

• Improved public health and reduce

• Promoting a long-term growth in

• Reformatory branch trail (3.8 miles)

• Alternative B: Includes utilizing the

MAKING THE CASE FOR THE

The report recommends the path run

The authors of the report write that the tracks

GORE STREET AND RUFO ROAD

• New water main and replacement of lead

• Sewer main rehabilitation and repairs

• Pavement profile restoration and repaving

• Accessible sidewalk reconstruction that

Construction is expected to commence in

NOTE: In the same period, the City of

CAMBRIDGE CROSSING (2019)

According to the Cambridge Crossing

ADA accessible ramp

Future bike lanes

Gold Star Planned buffered bike

shared-use path Winter S

of Cambridge Somerbridge hotel site and

Sidewalks and shared

adjacent to Simoni Rink

(per City of Cambridge)

Grand Junction Path has

See the map on the following page.

• The rail right-of-way running adjacent to

• The Inner Belt area is completely cut

• Walking and bicycling within the Inner

• Significant opportunities to provide

8 Assembly Sq and Inner Belt

needed for GLX Vehicle

l Av and storage per the MBTA

New Washington St Inner Belt: A 132-acre

(Completion late 2021)

Community Planned MBTA Vehicle