Complete Streets public meeting on March 14

The public is invited to attend a public information session on the Complete Streets program. The event will be held on Thursday, March 14 , at 7:00 p.m. at the Lynnfield Middle School, 505 Main Street.

Complete Streets is a MassDOT funding program that provides technical assistance and construction funding to eligible municipalities that desire to provide and improve safe and accessible options for all travel modes – walking, biking, transit, and motorized vehicles – for people of all ages and abilities.  This program funds development of plans and various size construction projects ranging from $25k to $400k. 

To be eligible for these construction funds municipalities must adopt a Complete Streets Policy and develop a Prioritization Plan. In June of 2018, the Selectmen adopted a Complete Streets policy that describes the Town's approach to implementing Complete Street principles in all related transportation infrastructure planning and construction.

The adoption of such a policy made the town eligible for MassDOT funding for the develop of a prioritization plan for Complete Street projects. The prioritization plan outlines 15 projects around Town where the Town would like improvements made to enhance multi-modal travel.  With MassDOT funds, the Town hired Environmental Partners to assist in the development of the plan.  Over the past several months a group consisting of the Town Engineer, Director of Public Works, Police Chief, School Superintendent, Town Planner, Town Administrator and the Town's consultant developed an outline of these priorities.  

The group came up with its top three priorities:

Pedestrian crossing improvements at Huckleberry Hill School, Summer Street School, Middle School and Chestnut Street.  These will include pedestrian crossing signals, and school zone radar signs on Summer Street and Main Street at the elementary and middle schools.

Pedestrian crossing improvements at S.Common Street and Main Street.

Installation of sidewalk on Main Street from Pine Hill Road to Lowell Street.

The Town is intending to finalize the list this month after receiving public input at its meeting on March 14.  In order to take advantage of the current round of funding the Town is planning to submit this final list to the state by the April 1 deadline.