A total of $6.5 million has been awarded through the Shared Streets and Spaces grant program to 77 Massachusetts cities and towns to conceive, design and implement changes to curbs, streets, plazas and parking areas in support of public health, safe mobility, renewed commerce and community betterment.
"The Shared Streets and Spaces Program has now awarded $33 million in total to 183 cities and towns since the competitive grants were offered to municipalities 13 months ago," said Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. "Shared Streets grants kept local economies going and gave the public options for safe travel and activities during the pandemic, helping all of us reimagine how we can share streets and spaces to stay safe and improve the quality of life in our communities."
Massachusetts LT. Gov. Kary Polito added, "The governor and I are proud to partner with municipal leaders on funding programs, such as Shared Streets, which help communities grow and thrive. Community leaders know each street corner and know each block of their business districts and have been very innovative in thinking about projects and thoughtfully applying for this funding."
For this round of awards, MassDOT received 94 applications, of which, all but four were eligible. This is the largest applicant pool received in a single round to date. In this round, 78 applications were selected for funding – 77 municipalities and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) – for a total of $6,506,185.30 in awards, with 51 percent of the awards going to designated Environmental Justice Communities.
In this round of funding, 28 percent of the awardees have never received a Shared Streets and Spaces award before.
"The Shared Streets and Spaces Program exemplifies the Baker-Polito Administration's commitment to providing safe and equitable transportation networks that support the commonwealth's transit, economic, climate and public health goals," said Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. "Projects like these can really have a major impact for daily life, safety and accessibility in a community – making a difference in a family's choice to go out on the town and a local restaurant owners' ability to keep their staff employed and busy.
Since June 2020, including this round of grants, the Baker-Polito Administration's Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program has awarded $33 million to 183 municipalities and four transit agencies for a total of 310 projects.
This round of funding is under the Shared Winter Streets and Spaces program launched late in 2020 for municipalities to continue making accommodations for the public during the cold winter months and provides grants as small as $5,000 and as large as $500,000 for municipalities to quickly launch changes for safer walking, biking, public transit, recreation, commerce and civic activities.
These changes can be intentionally temporary or can be permanent improvements. MassDOT notes it is particularly focused on projects that respond to the needs of communities and provide safe mobility for children, for elders, to public transportation and to open space and parks.
The list of cities and towns awarded Shared Winter Streets and Spaces grants in this funding round are:
- Adams received $35,000 to build on the success of an earlier Shared Streets and Spaces grant by creating a small event space on Park Street, the main pedestrian and commercial corridor in Adams, to be ADA-accessible and include seating, plantings and shade structures.
- Amesbury received $44,150 to install 1,300 feet of sidewalk along Lionsmouth Road to connect schools with Woodsom Farm and surrounding neighborhoods.
- Amherst received $184,728 to resurface and restripe several crosswalks and install pedestrian safety beacons along the Triangle Street corridor.
- Andover received $31,520 to install temporary traffic calming measures to demonstrate various speed reduction approaches and an outdoor dining space on Punchard Avenue.
- Aquinnah received $49,663 to construct protection for walkers on the pathway that connects shops, restaurants and Overlook Park with the historic Gay Head Lighthouse.
- Arlington received $50,000 to create a permanent dining parklet on Medford Street – a continuation of a temporary installation funded by an earlier Shared Streets and Spaces grant – by closing Park Terrace to vehicle traffic and converting it into an outdoor seating area and pedestrian plaza.
- Ashburnham received $29,849 to install traffic calming and outdoor dining and rest spaces in front of the Town Hall/Senior Center and at the Stevens Memorial Library/Winchester Park area.
- Avon received $200,000 to narrow streets, add pedestrian safety beacons, install new wayfinding and construct 1,000 feet of a protected shared-use pathway.
- Ayer received $30,639 to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety at the crossing of the Nashua River Rail Trail on Groton Street with a restriped crosswalk, tactile warning panels, new pedestrian safety beacons and better wayfinding between the MBTA Commuter Rail station and the trail.
- Boston received $40,000 to repurpose on-street parking to make space for temporary parklets/play areas incorporating art, planters, seating and shade in Mattapan Square.
- Braintree received $65,139 to add curb bump-outs, bring all existing curb ramps into ADA compliance, install new signage for parking and crosswalks and plant new trees on the portion of South Braintree Square that includes Washington Street from Pearl Street to Taylor Street.
- Brookfield received $156,611 to make improvements at the intersection of Central Street and Post Road/Route 9, to include new curbs, pedestrian safety beacons, new signage and new pavement markings.
- Brookline received $199,200 to install and improve three bikeshare stations in the Washington Square, Coolidge Corner and JFK Crossing commercial districts.
- Buckland received $50,000 to transform a vacant 3,400-square-foot lot located at the top of Conway Street in the Village Center into a bicycle parking area with amenities including bicycle racks, a water bottle filling station, a bicycle tool and repair stand and two benches overlooking the Deerfield River.
- Cambridge received $199,736 to build a curb extension along Raymond Park, onto which a bikeshare station will be placed and install a 19-dock station along the sidewalk near Old Morse Park in Cambridgeport.
- Canton received $16,805 to expand traffic calming measures to include two additional speed tables, signage and pavement markings, all proximate to a park and playground.
- Chelsea received $40,000 to install pedestrian safety improvements on Hawthorne Street, improving walking connections to the Early Learning Center, Chelsea Community Connections and the downtown central business district.
- Concord received $95,204 to install safety improvements along Old Marlborough Road and the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and install two new bikeshare stations in West Concord and Concord Center.
- Dighton received $118,838 to construct curb ramps, ADA-compliant curb cuts, accessible sidewalks and delineated crosswalks throughout town.
- East Longmeadow received $38,500 to increase pedestrian safety, accessibility and comfort by providing new and reconstructed curb ramps, new marked crosswalks, enhanced signage, bus stops and curb extensions on North Main Street.
- Eastham received $29,808 to create a protected shared-use path and community programming space on vacant Town-owned land bookended by Route 6 and the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
- Everett received $25,000 to install new bicycle racks over approximately 60 blocks of urban commercial streets, including Chelsea Street, Main Street, Hancock Street and Elm Street.
- Fairhaven received $183,689 to install safer pedestrian crossings for two high-volume/high-speed streets – one near Livesey Park and one at the downtown end of the Phoenix Trail – to include pedestrian safety beacons, new signage and enhanced markings.
- Fitchburg received $197,950 to permanently convert Cushing Street into a pedestrian plaza, which will include outdoor dining, landscaping and a safe connection between Main Street and Boulder Drive.
- Framingham received $200,000 to install new ADA-compliant curbing and sidewalk along one side of School Street, from Hamilton Street to Old Connecticut Path.
- Franklin received $20,814 to provide space for food trucks and enclose an area of Main Street with tables and chairs for dining, concerts and other Town-sponsored events.
- Greenfield received $200,000 to replace an existing parking lot with lawn and plantings in order to complete a new public park.
- Groveland received $59,452 to construct new and safer sidewalks and crosswalks in Elm Square and surrounding neighborhoods.
- Haverhill received $49,000 to install streetscape and safety improvements, including new bike lanes, street furniture, landscaping and widened sidewalks to the Winter Street/Route 97 corridor.
- Holyoke received $73,100 to install pedestrian safety beacons to better serve recreational and open spaces, the Senior Center and multiple schools.
- Ipswich received $18,000 to install a pedestrian safety beacon and crosswalk for the segment of Topsfield Road located between Bradley Palmer State Park and Willowdale State Forest.
- Lancaster received $18,000 to install pedestrian safety beacons at four crosswalks, including three within school areas and one at the Post Office.
- Lexington received $48,000 to install a pedestrian safety beacon, crosswalk and new sidewalk to make the five-way intersection on Marrett Road at Lincoln and School Streets safer and to provide better access to Hastings Elementary School and Bridges Elementary School.
- Littleton received $19,260 to install a midblock crosswalk – to include ADA-compliant curb ramps and pedestrian safely signage – across Newtown Road at the Yapp Land Conservation Area trailhead.
- Malden, in partnership with the MBTA, received $491,000 to construct dedicated bus and bike lanes on Centre Street between Main Street and the Malden Center Orange Line station.
- Marblehead received $19,300 to install a new gate – not large enough for vehicles – that leads from the Marblehead Rail Trail to the back entrance of Marblehead High School.
- Marshfield received $47,000 to install pedestrian safety beacons and bollards along the Marshfield Bridle Trail.
- Medford received $40,000 to build upon a previous Shared Streets and Spaces grant by expanding outdoor dining and increasing opportunities for safe outdoor recreation by closing certain residential streets to through-traffic.
- Melrose received $28,822 to repurpose Central Terrace off Main Street by expanding the space available for walking, resting and gathering, along with space for future public programming and pop-up shops.
- Merrimac received $129,000 to construct new and improved crosswalks and traffic calming measures to improve walking safety between a residential neighborhood and a school, as well as a safer link to the Jay McClaren Trail.
- Methuen received $83,194 to install multiple safety elements including a narrowed travel lane, better curb ramps, a new midblock crosswalk and pedestrian safety beacons in the Orchard Street corridor.
- Millbury received $49,947 to continue a project begun with an earlier Shared Streets and Spaces grant to replace and upgrade a pedestrian walkway from the municipal parking to the Town Common, including accessibility improvements, better lighting and landscaping.
- Milton received $4,673 to install bicycling parking at several parks, schools and and other public spaces.
- Montague received $127,337 to make permanent new sidewalks, crosswalks and and curb extensions piloted under an earlier Shared Streets and Spaces grant.
- Newton received $150,969 to add one new bikeshare station and relocate other underused stations to higher performing locations.
- Northampton received $50,000 to implement safety improvements to downtown streets to address lessons learned from an earlier Shared Streets and Spaces grant and a recent safety audit, including the addition of wayfinding and lighting to improve pedestrian safety and visibility.
- Orange received $100,871 to expand upon the work of a previous Shared Streets and Spaces grant by extending improvements on East Main Street to include new ADA-compliant crosswalks, buffered bicycle lanes and and a shelter for MART riders (complete with a bench and schedule holder). Among other users, the shelter transit stop will serve those visiting the Council on Aging and the Orange Farmers Market.
- Oxford received $50,000 to build upon an earlier Shared Streets and Spaces grant to install new crosswalks, pedestrian safety beacons and ADA-compliant ramps at the site of a pedestrian fatality.
- Plymouth received $193,000 to make safety improvements at five vulnerable intersections, including signal upgrades, new crosswalks and ADA-compliant ramps.
- Raynham received $137,420 to improve connectivity for walkers in the Pleasant Street corridor by narrowing the road and installing traffic calming, ten new pedestrian safety beacons, twelve new crosswalks and eight new ADA-compliant ramps.
- Rockland received $184,200 to make major improvements to the streets of the downtown area, including better and safer facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists, new bike parking at the local Senior Center and better connections to the Rockland Rail Trail.
- Salisbury received $10,000 to enhance a pedestrian-only area of Broadway with temporary planters for beautification and further safety during peak season.
- Sandwich received $51,492 to install ADA-compliant wheelchair ramps, pavement markings, warning signs and new sidewalk to improve connectivity to the new location of Town Hall in historic Sandwich Village.
- Saugus received $98,000 to install ADA-compliant ramps, traffic calming and space for outdoor dining in Cliftondale Center.
- Savoy received $38,300 to create a new dropoff zone, new walking surfaces and directional barriers and signage at Savoy Elementary School.
- Seekonk received $50,000 to install new ADA-compliant sidewalks, signalized crosswalks and guardrails on Arcade Avenue.
- Sheffield received $28,000 to create two safer crosswalks serving the Southern Berkshire Regional School District building, which houses pre-K to 12th grade and a nursery program.
- Shrewsbury received $48,926 to install wayfinding to support Shrewsbury Town Center.
- Somerset received $32,100 to extend a bike lane that was initially developed with funding from a previous Shared Streets and Spaces grant along Read Street, in order to make better connections to the South Coast Bikeway.
- Somerville received $41,490 to install quick-build safety retrofits at the high-crash Powderhouse Rotary, including continuous protected bike lanes.
- Southampton received $123,644 to construct 900 feet of new sidewalk to improve safety and walkability among key locations, including a school, Town Hall, Senior Center, library, historic church and town park.
- Springfield received $167,000 to repurpose sidewalks, curbs, bus stops and parking areas to include and install expanded outdoor dining space, curb extensions, line striping, bicycle accommodation and a pedestrian safety beacon in downtown Indian Orchard.
- Stow received $72,460 to implement pedestrian safety upgrades – to include solar-powered pedestrian safety beacons and ADA-compliant safety pads – at two high-risk crossings, one in Stow Lower Village and one in the Town Center at the site of a pedestrian fatality.
- Sturbridge received $35,000 to extend a sidewalk to support a new safe dropoff area at Burgess Elementary School.
- Swampscott received $200,000 to construct a new multiuse trail that connects to Swampscott Middle School and install solar-powered pedestrian safety beacons, two sets of bike racks and two bike repair stations.
- Swansea received $36,679 to complete a walkway that connects schools with ballfields and pedestrians and cyclists with scenic views as well as to bike and walking trails and municipal buildings.
- Taunton received $40,000 to extend the sidewalk on Main Street in downtown Taunton, providing space for twelve tables to facilitate public gathering and outdoor dining and install traffic calming and safety signage.
- Wakefield received $45,000 to improve a shared-use path – which connects the downtown business district to Lake Quannapowitt and Veterans Field – by replacing gravel with asphalt to meet accessibility requirements and provide a safer and more comfortable experience for all users.
- Walpole received $23,870 to activate underused public alleyways to create a safe and inviting connection between the parking lots and commercial businesses of Main Street.
- Wareham received $91,060 to install a bus shelter, street furniture and landscaping to encourage use of local bus services. This project will also install pedestrian safety improvements including a wooden guardrail, solar powered light poles and a public bike repair station to support non-vehicular travel.
- Webster received $178,165 to close an important gap by constructing 1,000 feet of new sidewalk on East Main Street, a main commercial thoroughfare.
- Wellesley received $34,785 to add a flashing pedestrian beacon at the State Street/Fuller Brook Path crosswalk in order to improve safety and comfort for walking to several schools, a Senior Center and open space.
- Westborough received $46,965 to make safety improvements at two intersections on West Main Street/Route 30.
- Westhampton received $36,000 to install signage and widen and repurpose sidewalks for school and community programming.
- Weston received $9,817 to install two new crosswalks, including concrete ramps, detectable strips for the visually impaired, curbing and signage to increase visibility for approaching motorists and pavement markings.
- Whitman received $184,022 to install curb extensions, ADA-compliant ramps and crosswalks, new shade trees, new benches and new bike parking at the intersection of Washington Street at South Avenue/Temple Street (Route 27), in the heart of Whitman Center.
- Williamstown received $25,000 to convert an underutilized downtown street into a pedestrian plaza, to be used for outdoor dining and community events.
- Worcester received $54,014 to transform three key corridors bordering Worcester City Hall by repurposing on-street parking into outdoor dining areas.
The next round of funding applications is anticipated to be launched in fall 2021 and information will be available on the website for the Shared Streets and Spaces Municipal Grant Program.
