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HomeMy Public PortalAboutHosmer School SRTS Assesment (PDF)Hosmer Elementary School Watertown, Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Program f Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Office of Transportation Planning massDOIA Preliminary Assessment Massachusetts Department of Transportation December 10, 2015 MassDOT it� ; ; S Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Team Safe Routes to School �� .N...s.go�- . . ot... Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report 1 Introduction Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a federally funded initiative of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). SRTS encourages public elementary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely through education and outreach as well as infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, traffic calming, signals, signage, and bike lanes. A Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure Assessment was conducted for the Hosmer Elementary School (Hosmer School) in Watertown. An assessment includes gathering information on the selected school through reviewing the school's assessment request, mapping student residency, conducting a preliminary meeting with school staff, municipal officials, and community members, observing school arrival and dismissal patterns, reviewing collision history, and collecting additional traffic counts or other information necessary to assess the needs of the school. This information is compiled to draw conclusions about the existing barriers to walking / biking to school, identify missing or deficient infrastructure, and develop recommendations for infrastructure improvements in the vicinity of the school. The purpose of this assessment is to identify potential improvements that would make walking and bicycling safer and more attractive modes for children traveling to and from school, and to identify the most applicable improvements that could be implemented as part of the Massachusetts SRTS Infrastructure Program. 2 The SRTS Program Overview The SRTS program is a Federal -aided program implemented in Massachusetts in 2006. It was created by Section 1404 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), signed into Public Law (P.L. 109-59) on August 10, 2005. According to the Federal legislation that created SRTS, the program's purpose is: (1) To enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school; (2) To make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and (3) To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21St Century Act (MAP-2 1), which was signed into law on July 6, 2012, consolidated a number of previous Federal funding programs. As a result of the new law, the SRTS program and the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program were incorporated into the Transportation Alternatives (TA) program. The TA program provides Federal -aid Highway funds to state Departments of Transportation (DOTS) for projects that were previously eligible under either SRTS or TE. These funds are available for a range of different uses, which include the former SRTS categories of Page 1 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report infrastructure projects, as well as education and encouragement programs that benefit elementary and middle school children in grades K-8. The Massachusetts SRTS program is administered through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and is composed of two parts: an education / encouragement component and an infrastructure improvement component. MassRIDES, the Commonwealth's travel option service, delivers the in -school education and encouragement program for MassDOT. MassRIDES also works with communities and schools to leverage support in identifying needs for improved walking and biking infrastructure. Where applicable, MassDOT then evaluates walking and bicycling access conditions at the school; identifies potential infrastructure projects that would improve pedestrian and bicycle access; and develops designs for a selected set of high priority pedestrian and bicycle access improvements. 2.1 Policy Support for SRTS The goal of the SRTS program is to increase children's physical activity, improve air quality, ease traffic congestion, and foster the continued growth of safe and sustainable communities. The program is strongly supported by key MassDOT policies, including: • The GreenDOT Policy, MassDOT's comprehensive sustainability initiative that is designed to integrate environmental responsibility into all MassDOT functions. GreenDOT is driven by three primary goals: reduce greenhouse gas emissions; promote the healthy transportation options of walking, bicycling, and public transit; and support smart growth development. • The Mode Shift Goal within GreenDOT was announced by MassDOT in October 2012. The Mode Shift Goal is an initiative to triple the share of travel by bicycling, transit and walking in Massachusetts by 2030. In collaboration with regional transportation partners, community leaders, advocates and customers, MassDOT will reconsider what is possible for the Commonwealth's transportation system and imagine healthier, greener and cleaner mobility. • Healthy Transportation Policy Directive within GreenDOT was issued by MassDOT in September 2013. The Healthy Transportation Policy formalizes MassDOT's commitment to the implementation and maintenance of transportation networks that serve all mode choices. • Complete Streets, the comprehensive multi -modal design philosophy in MassDOT's Project Development and Design Guide. Complete Streets calls for safe and appropriate accommodation of all roadway users, and an approach to roadway design giving critical early consideration not only to motor vehicles, but also pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit riders. 2.2 Project Selection Criteria Federal funding legislation provides funding for SRTS projects and programs through its Transportation Alternatives (TA) funding program, which requires that TA funding is used most efficiently. Therefore, MassDOT carefully reviews the merits and potential of each infrastructure investment project to ensure that TA funding supports the most Page 2 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report deserving projects. Potential projects are evaluated based on an analysis of feasibility, safety and mobility benefits, number of students expected to benefit, property and other impacts, and overall project costs. 2.3 The School Assessment Program Since the program's start in 2006, MassDOT has visited more than 60 schools across the Commonwealth, prepared more than 45 assessments, and initiated designs for more nearly 30 schools. To date, 15 infrastructure projects have been built. The minimum requirements for being eligible for an infrastructure assessment at the time the Hosmer School applied were as follows: A school must have participated for at least one year in the SRTS education and encouragement program, and The school must complete an assessment request that includes: o A letter of support from the municipality's chief executive that names a municipal liaison for project coordination, o Commitment of the municipality to fulfill their responsibilities under a SRTS infrastructure project. An infrastructure assessment aims to provide a description of the travel characteristics of a school's student population, issues related to pedestrian and bicycle access to the school, and results of field observations. It identifies factors limiting walking and biking to school, and makes recommendations for measures to increase the number of students walking and biking or improve safety for those students already walking and biking. Student residency information is collected and mapped relative to the location of the school. Additionally, existing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is mapped to help identify critical gaps in infrastructure as well as provide a visual assessment of the number of students that would benefit from implementing improvements. MassDOT also completes observations of school arrival and dismissal patterns, described in Section 3.4, to identify the need for improvements and potential safety benefits. Existing infrastructure is evaluated for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Architectural Access Board (AAB), and Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards to inform the range of mobility improvements. Impacts on right-of- way, grading, drainage, wetlands, and other environmental resources are also evaluated to assess the feasibility of constructing potential Safe Routes to School funded projects in an expedited manner. Page 3 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report 3 Hosmer Elementary School The Hosmer Elementary School is an elementary school with a total of approximately 656 students, approximately 69 percent of whom live within walking distance of the school. The school is located at One Concord Road in Watertown, on the corner of Boylston and Chauncey Street. The school is bordered by a mixture of single and multi- family housing on all sides. The school is located in close proximity to Mount Auburn Street (Route 16) to the north, which is a major arterial roadways carrying over 11,000 vehicles per day. The heavy traffic volumes and wide roadway width cause Mount Auburn Street (Route 16)to form a barrier to walking and biking to school and separate the school from approximately seven (7) percent of its potential walking population. Figure 1 shows the school's relationship to the network of arterial roadways within a 1- mile radius of the school. The Hosmer Elementary School has participated in the education and encouragement program with MassRIDES since 2010. The program encourages and educates students and parents through information distribution, teaming with local police, participation in Massachusetts Walk and Bike to School Day, and surveying student travel behavior and monitoring results. The school participates in weekly Walking Wednesdays during fair weather months. During these events, school staff walk with students at the end of the day before dismissal to allow students taking the bus to participate in the event. In addition, the school offers pedestrian safety training to second graders annually, and has partnered with MassRIDES to hold a pedestrian safety assembly for the entire school. The Hosmer School previously offered a walking school bus along Common Street and Bellevue Road, however, as students moved on to other schools, the walking school bus lost parent and chaperone support. An assessment request was submitted to MassDOT by the Hosmer Elementary School in May 2012 and subsequently was selected as part of the seventh round of assessments to receive an infrastructure evaluation. The school's assessment request presented potential need for improvements at multiple locations residing within close proximity to the school, as well as indicated a strong potential for increasing walking and biking due to the number of students residing within walking distance to the school. See Section 3.1 below for the Assessment Request and overview of preliminary safety concerns. This assessment focuses on the streets immediately adjacent to the school grounds, such as Boylston Street between Chauncey Street and Hazel Street, because these streets had been identified to have the greatest concentration of school -related walking and bicycling trips. Page 4 of 29 Scale: 1" = 1500' l 0 . �W SRff 0 m cn O o ■ IG Q RIVER 0 a 0 1-mile 7— % Radi l CAM ;RIDGE cRo� F T. STE�PHEN'%o HILL 0 E Principal Arterial Local Street Minor Arterial —••—••- Municipal Border Collector MBTA Commuter Rail Figure 1: 1-Mile Street Network & Surrounding Schools MassDOT Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Team Safe Routes to Schooi Page 5 of 29� Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report 3.1 Hosmer Elementary School Assessment Request The assessment request received in 2012, focused on the issues of dangerous crossings of busy roadways and missing connections to existing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Additional concerns include heavy traffic volumes of over 11,000 vehicles per day on Mount Auburn Street and over 7,000 vehicles per day on School Street. These traffic volumes can be a barrier to walking and bicycling. Approximately 69 percent of the school's student population resides within a 1-mile radius of the school with approximately 29 percent of those students currently walking or biking to school. Additional concerns include the number of parents dropping off and picking up at the school causing congestion and operational problems that were described in the assessment request. Completed SRTS School Assessment Request Form Submitted by the Hosmer Elementary School, Watertown, MA School Information Municipality Information School Name Hosmer Elementary School Municipality Name Town Watertown Street Address 1 Concord Road Watertown MA 02472 Mailing Address 124 Orchard Street Watertown, MA 02472 Contact Name Robert LaRoche, Principal Contact Name Gideon Schrieber, Senior Planner Tel. No. (617) 926-7740 Tel. No. Email robert.laroche@watertown.kl2.ma.us Email gschreiber@watertown-ma.gov Start Time 8:10 AM Dismissal Time 2:35 PM School Population Information Grade K 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 Sum Number of Students 656 Actual number residing within 452 1 mile of school Not Provided Estimated number who 131 currently walk/bicycle Are students bused within 1 mile of the school? Explain if yes. Yes. Students may subscribe to a fee -paid program and ride the school bus to and/or from the school regardless of where they live. There is often a waiting list to take the bus. Describe the potential for increasing walking and bicycling to the school Hosmer School is located at the intersection of Boylston and Chauncey Streets in Watertown. The school is surrounded by residential neighborhoods and the Arsenal Mall, a local shopping center and regional employment center. The school is adjacent to the O'Connell playground which abuts Page 6 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report Mount Auburn Street, a major connector street to Cambridge and other regional destinations. The majority of students live within a mile of the school and many students already walk and bike to school; infrastructure improvements, especially to help students cross Mount Auburn Street, can increase both the number of children walking and biking to school, and the safety of students who already walk and bike to school. Two main infrastructure concerns in this area are: 1. Lack of curbs on sidewalks around the school, which allows cars to park on the sidewalks, obstructing the pathways for pedestrians. 2. High traffic and difficult crossing conditions at Mount Auburn Street and School Street, where several children would need to cross to access the Hosmer School. The school community has an interest in increasing walking and biking and improving safety for walking and biking. The school participates in International Walk to School and MA Walk/Bike to School, and weekly Walking Wednesdays in fair weather. The school has held pedestrian safety training for students. Describe the problems you school faces regarding safe routes to your school There are several major areas of improvement that would encourage more students to walk/ride to school. Sidewalks: The majority of sidewalks approaching the school do not have curbs and cars have been observed often parking on the sidewalk, obstructing the path of pedestrians and creating a safety hazard for children by parking or backing up onto the sidewalk. Reconstructing the sidewalks with curbs would deter drivers from parking on the sidewalk, freeing the space for children to walk to school. Intersections: There are two main intersections which are problematic for students walking and biking to school. 1. Mount Auburn Street and School Street. Students who live north of Mount Auburn Street cross Mount Auburn Street at the intersection with School Street. The street is wide and very busy. Additionally, there is a right turn slip lane for westbound traffic on Mount Auburn, which creates an additional hazard for pedestrians, especially children, crossing this road. 2. School Street and Boylston Street. School Street is a major through street in Watertown. Students approaching the school from the eastern neighborhoods typically cross School Street at Boylston, however, there are no stop signs or signals to allow students to cross School Street. Adding traffic calming or a stop device would improve the safety of students using this crossing to approach the school. Crossing Guard: There are sufficient crossing guards for school arrival and dismissal periods, however, students would benefit from increased crossing guard time to assist children participating in after school activities at the school. Are there any recommendations within school district planning documents about potential closure/relocation of this school? No. Watertown has closed three elementary schools in the past few years, increasing the population at Hosmer School. The town is considering transferring a small neighborhood to the Cuniff School, however, these students are outside the 1-mile radius of Hosmer School and are not in the target audience for SRTS improvements. Based on the Assessment Request Form submitted by the school, Mount Auburn Street (Route 16) and School Street were identified by both school administrative staff and parents as a safety concern for students walking to school due to heavy commuter traffic along the corridor. Additionally, School Street has been identified as a cut -through street Page 7 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report and provides connections to multiple residential neighborhoods north of the school. This assessment specifically focuses on the streets close to the school grounds, including School Street, and Boylston Street because these streets have been identified to have the greatest concentration of school -related walking and bicycling trips. 3.2 Student Residency Mapping The Assessment Request submitted by the Hosmer Elementary School included a map depicting the location where each of its students live within a half -mile radius of the school. The density of the student population within a 1-mile radius of the Hosmer Elementary School is shown in Figure 2. The map demonstrates that approximately 11 percent (72 students) of the Hosmer School's population that lives within half -mile of the school resides in neighborhoods to the southeast of the school. These students travel along local roadways which feed into School Street and Boylston Street in order to walk to/from school. An additional 45 students also live in neighborhoods to the north and must cross Mount Auburn Street to travel to school. Due to the heavy traffic volumes on this arterial roadway and a lack of traffic calming measures, this roadway forms a barrier for students walking to school. Approximately 8 percent (55 students) of the Hosmer School's students live to the east of School Street and must cross School Street at the intersection with Boylston Street to walk to/from school. This intersection has been identified within the Assessment Request as a difficult crossing due to heavy traffic volumes along School Street, approximately 7,000 Average Daily Traffic (ADT) and lack of stop signs on approaches from side streets. Based on the safety concerns raised in the assessment request, and the high potential for increasing walking and biking to school, the Hosmer Elementary School was selected to receive an SRTS infrastructure assessment. Page 8 of 29 Elementary Service Areas Hosmer Walking Distances i_ Cunniff O 1 Mile - 20 Minute Walking Distance Hosmer O 1/2 Mile - 10 Minute Walking Distance Lowell O 1/4 Mile - 5 Minute Walking Distance `. BELMONT Hosmer Busing Hosmer Bus 1 k'`""""" ` CAMBRIDGE Hosmer Bus 2 ELMONT STQEgr Hosmer Bus 3 '��HTgPF Q Not Bussed HUE' � Y � ��•'�. � ��� LowcU Playgtound O � •�'•�.,� • • �� •�� ST')? i[ncel cnrarc ►�..� .� �.�,,�. VARRFy f rAS m ` ` . •�w: c. • V ictory Fi� • � m • � r • • f • ' ' �Sulh an a(crtolr c School \// �� • • Q g 9 �9/ �+'/' • iu STONeL HROAD • 9qG MCAubmn CemeteOf ry Fj �'r T.—• �• r Z t o yVat School' f� .. i• • 1 �, � O�Connefl O �Vit)T)l Adn i inter[onstallP k F�t'c �s e�sa ,ac�'"'al II _ p we Pai" •R • I • •'• • • • • •• F,•• rf t' • • • • • •• // l` •, r •• G . %•• • pUTNAM STRE : • � ' '•• • • ' Filippello Puk Charles �N `�PF • ��• •4}q Dea �FF� River Wawa u, c clha GreenwV —lflr • ~' 1„ ink NORTH BEACON STREET �yFi1 • i ' • ' _ • _ ��'•�(S • fN ton �••�.,�. • cHAR�ESR/VERRO 74� -- �,� • �•� Charles Ricer Greenway Not to Scale BOSTON mol' Figure 2: Student Residency Map MassDOT ckj Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Team Safe Ot05 to School � ,}�Ov�rt4LMii }I'r�V�irr Page 9 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report 3.3 Infrastructure Assessment and Field Visit The MassDOT team attended a preliminary assessment meeting and performed a field visit and inventory of sidewalks at Hosmer School on October 10, 2012. The following people attended the meeting: Attendee: Representing: Anne Hardiman Hosmer School, Principal Mary Kate Fitzpatrick Hosmer School, Assistant Principal Gideon Schrieber Watertown Department of Public Works Steve Engler Watertown Ped/Bike Committee Mark Gravallese MassDOT District 6 Rob Ballasty MassDOT District 6 Heather Drake MassRIDES Laurie Pessah Toole Design Group Rebecca Brown TEC, Inc. At the preliminary assessment meeting, school and Town staff identified factors impacting walking and biking to Hosmer Elementary School, including the issues that were identified in the assessment request. As part of the field visit and inventory, MassDOT observed school arrival and dismissal procedures and activities; catalogued the locations of key walking and bicycle infrastructure, including sidewalks, pathways, and traffic control features; and identified other factors impacting travel to and from the school. The detailed walking and bicycling infrastructure inventory is shown in Figure 3. MassDOT's observations and assessments on walking and bicycling operations at Hosmer School are delineated in Section 3.4. MassDOT performed additional field visits following the preliminary assessment meeting to observe school dismissal procedures and to confirm the project scope as part of the review process with Town staff. Page 10 of 29 J t� J aQ ti o LRussel i s W L lvT �1 E MO a / ATERTOk,H TRAP 400kEsrRffr Elp ROAD A O Q a O = O� Q h GRe£NV 'ROAD = a z J o OS%,Q m Q BELIE MAPLEIN00� FFj H O SUE ROAD STREET LL OQ J - ❑t. W Z W Q vow W W { r > a 2 Q W _ �9,p/0�9 O Q O I .. O Z J 9L 9l`PO Gq0 Y o 0 2 Z 2 Fti 9p 0!//1 Q Q J / o V Q G r CAMBRIDGE WATERTOWN U .S PJ Ova p9lF FgsT9F m Q co a v tiOLUMSIAsrREEr 0 t'/ o W F PSt� � �FST/�FFT h w d OR1F- i �J 0 � Z r O ,,, Q Foy JAL �49J�. �'v .. ..._ .... m c<ee n I = j HU F� �� 'F� High Schooli+ �b�<� ®� 3 Mementar " z p Fs F� sT ',r. - �t A z o C nn ° N/ m m T?FFT �� 9FST �� J CONCORD ROq� FA�IRFIECOJ•RJMOGTHT,R Cy0(S COOLINGE HILL ROAD 44 �ST�Ff T STREET ®�P/ .o <A �PF���PT �`�S�PUSTN�AM STREET 11$� �`'J�o- �Q'`J Elernentd r)> SPRUCE STREET LAUREL STREET r mw CYPRESS STREET WATERTOWN GREENWAY { 20 ARSENAL STREET � FRANK� V-r -- - �� �•_ � 3 STREET 'r` ARSENAL STREE r R/liF > - ?ns School Rs/,Des FI DeSrRFFT:V-2100) 7 + Pfokthe BI nd r A + ?+ - cmi/ RIVER ROAD 0�Q�� wATfRT0Wt4 HCHARLESRIVERRESE\ �9T F NEWTON eOr �T0��Y 1 "= 1200' KEY Sidewalk With Curb Sidewalk Without Curb No Sidewalk Existing Crosswalk Watertown City Line MassDOT Existing Trail Proposed Trail 0 One Way Street Fully Signalized Intersection Crossing Guard AR"= MUIOR a Note: Streets not marked were not observed during the site visit. Figure 3: Existing Conditions Around Hosmer Elementary School X .. Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Team Safe Routes to School Page 11 of 29 �+�.� Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report 3.4 General Observations The following observations are based on observations and the preliminary meeting unless otherwise noted. School Arrival and Dismissal • Arrival: Hosmer School has an extended day program, which offers activities in the morning and afternoon, before and after school. The program begins at 7:15 AM with breakfast and arts & crafts. The Community Education Program is looking to offer courses before school such as a running club. A comment in the parent survey suggests that school faculty are not always visible outside to receive students. Some students arrive to the school on MBTA buses that travel on Mount Auburn Street. The school places orange cones in front of the school to designate drop off zones for private vehicles. Dismissal: School is dismissed at 2:35 PM and a crossing guard is present until 3:00 PM. Parents let teachers know how their students will be traveling home after school. The teacher will bring kids outside at the end of the day to meet their parents or walk home. Parents must notify teachers in writing if they change their child's plan for getting home. • The school offers a variety of after school programs. Although there are crossing guards provided during school dismissal at the following intersections, there are no crossing guards present when after school activities are released. ➢ Mount Auburn Street and Boylston Street ➢ Mount Auburn Street and Winthrop Street ➢ Nichols Avenue and Arlington Street o The lack of crossing guards makes it difficult to cross these roadways when competing with weekday commuter traffic. Sidewalk and Pathway Infrastructure • The intersection of School Street and Boylston Street was identified as a difficult pedestrian crossing due to the volume and speed of traffic on School Street and the presence of on -street parking on School Street obscuring drivers' vision of students crossing the roadway. Approximately eight (8) percent of the Hosmer School's student population lives in the neighborhoods east of School Street and crosses at this intersection. This issue is addressed in the proposed SRTS project described in Chapter 4. o The heavy traffic volumes on Mount Auburn Street limit the number of gaps in traffic of an adequate length of time between the flow of vehicles to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway. As a result, pedestrians must wait a long time to cross and may choose to take gaps that are too short. • The intersection of Mount Auburn Street and School Street was identified as a difficult and dangerous intersection for students crossing to/from school, Page 12 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report o The intersection is dangerous due to a channelized right -turn slip lane that allows higher vehicle turning speeds. The existing pedestrian signal equipment is not compliant with the MUTCD and pedestrian signals and push -buttons are not provided on the northeast corner of the intersection. This issue is addressed in Recommendation 1 in Chapter 4. o The one of the existing traffic signal heads on the School Street southbound approach are obscured by tree branches. o There is only one signal head mounted overhead per approach which could potentially create visibility problems if blocked by a heavy vehicle or solar glare. While not an MUTCD requirement, it is considered preferable to have one signal head mounted overhead per lane. o The existing pedestrian signals do not provide countdown indicators or updated regulatory (R10-3) signage. • Mount Auburn Street was identified by the parent surveys and at the preliminary meeting as a dangerous and intimidating street, both for walking and crossing. o People have been hit by cars at the corner of Mount Auburn Street and Russell Avenue, as this is a somewhat midblock crossing due to the fact that the southerly ramp is placed at a point between Otis Street and Franklin Street. It was noted at the preliminary meeting that a student was hit by a car at the Mount Auburn Street / St. Mary's Street intersection while getting off the bus. This issue is addressed in Recommendation 3 in Chapter 4. o Six (6) crashes have been recorded by MassDOT at the Mount Auburn Street / Russell Avenue intersection between 2011 — 2013. The resulting annual crash rate is 2 crashes per year. • There is a mid -block pedestrian signal on Mount Auburn Street just west of Oakley Road, which provides pedestrian access to O'Connell Park. However, the majority of students cross Mount Auburn Street at Boylston Street or Winthrop Street, as these provide direct access into the Hosmer School. o It is presumed that this behavior causes the Mount Auburn Street pedestrian signal to be underutilized. This issue is addressed in Recommendation 4 in Chapter 4. • Although almost all of the streets surrounding the school have sidewalks on both sides of the street, there is limited curb reveal or sloped paved curbs separating the sidewalks from the travel way, o The results of the limited infrastructure have vehicles parking on the sidewalk as observed during site walk. This issue is addressed in the proposed SRTS project described and in Recommendation 2 in Chapter 4. Snow clearance can pose a problem for pedestrians. The DPW clears the sidewalks on Winthrop Street and Mount Auburn Street. Although businesses and residents are required to clear the snow in front of their buildings, this is not enforced. Page 13 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report Traffic Speeds and Volumes • Based on traffic counts collected by MassDOT in 2014, School Street north of Mount Auburn Street adjacent to Hosmer School carries approximately 7,000 vehicles per day. • There is a perception of speeding and unsafe driving on Mount Auburn Street. There have been pedestrian/vehicle crashes on this street. o According to the parent survey, vehicles do not reliably stop for traffic signals or stop signs. This issue is addressed in Recommendation 3 in Chapter 4. Crossing Guards • A crossing guard is stationed at the following locations during school arrival and dismissal periods: ➢ Mount Auburn Street and Boylston Street ➢ Mount Auburn Street and Winthrop Street ➢ Nichols Avenue and Arlington Street 3.5 Currently Planned Municipal and State Construction Projects There are two (2) transportation improvement projects proposed in Watertown within a 1- mile radius of the Hosmer Elementary School. These projects are taken into account in developing the recommendations for the SRTS infrastructure assessment in order to ensure that the SRTS recommendations are not conflicting with or redundant to other planned projects. A brief summary of these projects is provided below. • Mount Auburn Road Diet Concept: The Town of Watertown conducted an initial study of improvements to the Mount Auburn Street corridor, which includes alternatives for road diets and bicycle and pedestrian improvements on Mount Auburn Street between Common Street and Coolidge Hill. The study suggests curb extensions at the Winthrop Street and Boylston Street intersection with Mount Auburn Street, both of which are in close proximity to the Hosmer School. The curb extensions recommended in this school assessment should be vetted with the Town of Watertown to determine if they are compatible with any proposed recommendations to Mount Auburn Street. • Bike Path Spur: A multi -use path was constructed in Spring 2011 along the abandoned rail corridor from School Street to the intersection of Arlington Street and Nichols Avenue. A bike path spur is planned to connect this multi -use path to the Charles River Path (south of Hosmer School), although a specific route has not been determined yet. The Town is in the permitting process for a spur to connect Arsenal Street to North Beacon Street and Greenough Boulevard. The Town is also in the permitting process for a spur to connect School Street to Watertown Square. Although it is unlikely that these paths will be used by Hosmer School students to walk and bike to/from school, any improvements along roadways connecting to the path should be coordinated with this project to Page 14 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report incorporate connections and bicycle access to the path. The town hopes to begin construction in 2-3 years. Page 15 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report 4 Recommendations for Improvement Through the assessment request process, Hosmer Elementary School and Town of Watertown staff have identified a number of existing safety concerns and infrastructure deficiencies related to walking and bicycling access to the school (See Sections 3.1 through 3.4). During the field visit, additional deficiencies and needs were identified (See Section 3.4). The MassDOT team has made a number of recommendations described below for infrastructure improvements that address these issues and deficiencies described in Chapter 3 and shown graphically in Figure 4. The recommendations are focused principally on unsafe crossings on School Street and Boylston Street. Preliminary conceptual improvement graphics (See Figure 5) and narrative descriptions of potential improvements (see Sections 4.1 and 4.2) were prepared and shared with Town of Watertown Planning and Engineering staff to gain concurrence on the need, scope, and priority of the recommendations. Multiple follow-up meetings and field visits were conducted to verify the recommendations. The recommendations and potential projects described are derived from the culmination of these discussions, the assessment request, the field observations, and additional analyses described in prior sections of this assessment. The Hosmer Elementary School's assessment has identified a substantial benefit associated with an improvement project and a high potential for increasing walking / biking, in addition to a significant safety enhancement for students already walking and biking to this school, as well as the adjacent high school. Furthermore, the recommended projects for the Hosmer Elementary School will also provide a benefit to the surrounding community by providing additional options for alternative mode travel and recreation. Not all of the recommendations identified by this assessment will be funded by MassDOT with Federal Transportation Alternatives (TA) funds. The project that is likely to have the greatest benefit to walking and biking to school has been proposed as a SRTS project. Additional recommended infrastructure recommendations serve to improve safety and mobility for the Hosmer School's walking and biking population. These recommendations are described to help assist the Town of Watertown to consider further improvement projects to help support SRTS within their community. 4.1 Proposed MassDOT SRTS Infrastructure Project The MassDOT team recommends the following project under the SRTS infrastructure program: reconstruct sidewalks, crosswalks, and signage on Boylston Street and School Street between Chauncey Street and Fairfield Street. The upgraded sidewalk connections will feature curb bump -outs which will reduce crossing distance for pedestrians and motorists travel speeds and provide additional green space. This project was selected for potential SRTS funding as it provides access to the school for a number of residential neighborhoods and has been identified in the assessment request and preliminary meeting as a dangerous crossing for pedestrians walking to school. Upgrade Pedestrian Crossings and Install Bump -outs Along Boylston Street As discussed in Section 3.2, approximately 55 students live in the residential areas east of Page 16 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report the Hosmer School and approach the school via Boylston Street. An additional 45 students live north of the Hosmer School and walk via School Street to/from school. Boylston Street sidewalks lack vertical curbing, which allows drivers to park on the sidewalk, creating obstructions to walking and biking. Boylston Street's intersections with Hazel and Hosmer Streets have wide turning radii, which allow high vehicle turning speeds and creates unnecessarily long crosswalks for pedestrians. In addition, the intersection of Boylston Street and School Street has been identified as a difficult pedestrian crossing due to perceived high travel speeds and heavy vehicle congestion, combined with limited sight distance of pedestrians in the roadway due to on -street parking on School Street. To improve pedestrian safety along this major route to the school, The MassDOT team recommends reconstructing sidewalks to provide curb reveal and curb bump -outs. Bump outs would help reduce travel speeds increase distance of parked cars to SW to help with conspicuity of crossing pedestrians as well as reduce pedestrian crossing widths along Boylston Street between Fairfield Street and Chauncey Street. The major elements of the project include: • Reconstruct sidewalks on both sides of Boylston Street between Chauncey Street and Fairfield Street, and along Chauncey Street between Boylston Street and the Hosmer School Entrance, to add 6-inch curb reveal. • Realign Chauncey Street at the intersection with Boylston Street to form a standard T-intersection. Install curb extension at this intersection to reduce curb radii and pedestrian crossing distance. • Reconstruct the intersections of Boylston Street with Hosmer Street and Hazel Street to reduce curb radii and pedestrian crossing distances. • Construct bump -outs at the intersection of Boylston Street and School Street to reduce curb radii and pedestrian crossing distances. • Restripe crosswalks along Boylston Street between Fairfield Street and Chauncey Street. • Construct ADA-compliant accessible ramps and install pedestrian crossing warning signs at crosswalks along Boylston Street between Fairfield Street and Chauncey Street. • Provide a pavement overlay along Boylston Street between Chauncey Street and Fairfield Street within the limits of the project. The proposed improvements at the School Street / Boylston Street intersection will significantly improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians crossing the intersection, as well as for bicyclists traveling through the intersection. The curb bump -outs will reduce the travel speed of turning vehicles and improve visibility for pedestrians to cross the roadway. The reconstructed curb ramps will improve accessibility for all pedestrians. Installation of MUTCD compliant signage pavement markings will help convey message to drivers. The conceptual cost estimate for the potential SRTS-funded infrastructure project is $693,000. See Figure 5 for additional detail and a graphical depiction of the improvements. As described in Chapter 5, the Town will be required to provide a Page 17 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report commitment to acquiring these easements prior to advancing this project into design. Page 18 of 29 W: Ali ,teaA. or lb* , , w � 4,1P go . kw lb LL STN� R� C 0 w 55 S STONELEIGH ROAD*Tr6 Ck 4 0 �Si > C-) LU oo F1, > U_ 7 C( CD A MOUNT AUBURN ST 0 41, P 0 0 NMI M & Ppr Co 0/v COR Q a Z AAr 0 (S' \X PUTNAM ST 0 LAURELST man 4hir -'_I'c�_ .,i 1E�� �� 1 r' CYPRESS ST L a . . . . . . . . . . .-Legend SRTS Proposed SRTS Project Project Recommended for Municipal Funding I Hosmer SchnnI I N.T.S. ana Haa Lanascaping and Crosswalk RECOMMENDED SCOPE OF WORK AND CONCEPTUAL COST ESTIMATE: 5' WIDE CONCRETE SIDEWALK & GRANITE CURB Reduce Roadway Width and Add Landscaping (INCLUDING RAMPS) = $302,000 PAVEMENT MILL & OVERLAY = $115,500 Install Crosswalks and Reconstruct Ramps SIGNS &STRIPING = $8,000 LANDSCAPING = $13,000 Boylston Street at School Street Facing West DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS = $37,000 TRAFFIC CONTROL/ FIELD OFFICE = $79,000 +/- 25% CONTINGENCY & R1-1 W11-2 CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING = $138,500 51-1 W16-7p � TOTAL = $693,000 Figure 5: Upgrade Pedestrian Crossings and Install Bump -Puts along Boylston Street MassDOT 1A_, 55 f �+}5.4t�l L, Svl ] Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Team Safe Routes to School Page 20 of 29 �� H ii.QW Nr44Lk}i.5,+r48uSr• Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report 4.2 Other Recommendations for Implementation by the Town of Watertown MassDOT has identified additional recommended infrastructure improvement projects that were not included in the proposed SRTS project. These recommendations would improve pedestrian and bicycle access to the school property from adjacent neighborhoods. The list of potential projects for the Town of Watertown to consider includes the following: • Improve Pedestrian Crossing at Mount Auburn Street and School Street Intersection • Reconstruct Sidewalks with Curbs along Nichols Avenue from Boylston Street to Arlington Street • Install Traffic Calming Measures and Pedestrian Improvements on Mount Auburn Street Corridor • Relocate Pedestrian Signal on Mount Auburn Street • Install Bicycle Improvements on School Street Connecting to Watertown Greenway While these projects will improve safety for students walking to school, they are not anticipated to see the same level of use as the improvements included in the proposed SRTS infrastructure project. In comparison, approximately 10 students would walk along Nichols Avenue between Boylston Street and Arlington Street. Although the Mount Auburn Street corridor is in need of pedestrian safety improvements, there is a potential for conflict between these recommendations and other corridor -wide road diet initiatives. Therefore, the Mount Auburn Street corridor has not been identified for Federal TA funding. In addition, there are two elementary schools located in close proximity to the Hosmer School: St. Stephen's School and Atrium School, both on Nichols Avenue. Pedestrian and bicycle improvements surrounding the Hosmer School are likely to also benefit students of the St. Stephen's and Atrium Schools. Recommendation 1— Improve Pedestrian Crossing at Mount Auburn Street and School Street Intersection Approximately 93 students (45 students within a half -mile radius) live in the residential area directly north of the Hosmer School on the northerly side of Mount Auburn Street. In order to walk or bike to school, students travel along School Street, cross School Street at the signalized intersection with Mount Auburn Street, and continue along Mount Auburn Street to Chauncey Street. The intersection at Mount Auburn and School Street does not currently have ADA compliant accessible ramps at crosswalks. In addition, the slip lane for right -turning vehicles on the northeast corner of the intersection requires pedestrians to cross first to a small island before completing crossing either School Street or Mount Auburn Street. This crosswalk is not signalized and the crossing guard does not assist with crossing to this island. Furthermore, the right -turn slip lane allows high vehicle turning speeds, increasing the danger to pedestrians. Page 21 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report To improve the pedestrian safety, the MassDOT team recommends removing the right - turn slip lane at this intersection and upgrading the pedestrian crossings. The major elements of the project include: • Remove the right -turn slip lane and splitter island on the northeast corner of Mount Auburn and School Street, and provide a landscaped curb extension to reduce the pedestrian crossing width across School Street. The reconstructed curb would be designed to accommodate trucks and emergency vehicles. • Construct ADA-compliant accessible ramps on all corners of the intersection and restriped crosswalks. • Install new pedestrian signals with count -down indications and push -buttons at all crosswalks. • Provide a pavement overlay within the limits of the project and restripe all pavement markings, including lane delineation and STOP lines. The proposed improvements at the School Street / Mount Auburn Street (Route 16) intersection will significantly improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians crossing the intersection, as well as for bicyclists traveling through the intersection. The pedestrian signals will provide dedicated phases for pedestrians to cross the roadway without conflict with vehicular traffic. The reconstruction of crosswalks and removal of vehicle channelizing islands at the northeast corner of the intersection would improve safety for pedestrians crossing the roadway by reducing crossing distance. The reconstructed curb ramps will improve accessibility for all pedestrians. Installation of MUTCD compliant signals and signage will ensure driver compliance with the intended messages. Recommendation 2 — Reconstruct Sidewalks with Curbs along Nichols Avenue from Boylston Street to Arlington Street The sidewalks along Nichols Avenue have limited to no curb reveal, allowing vehicles to park on the sidewalks and restricting pedestrian access. The MassDOT team recommends reconstruction of the sidewalks along Nichols Avenue between Boylston Street and Arlington Street to provide 6-inch vertical curb to improve pedestrian safety. The reconstruction of sidewalk will provide physical separation from parked vehicles and inhibit the ability for vehicles to encroach on the sidewalk. Recommendation 3 — Install Traffic Calming Measures and Pedestrian Improvements on Mount Auburn Street Corridor Mount Auburn Street presents a barrier to walking and bicycling to the Hosmer School for students living north of this roadway due to its width, heavy traffic congestion, and high vehicle travel speeds, which make crossing the roadway dangerous. The Watertown Police Department has recorded 110 crashes along Mount Auburn Street. Of these crashes 15 crashes (approximately 14%) have been pedestrian or bicyclists between 2010 and 2012. Consistent with the Town of Watertown's Mount Auburn Street corridor study, which includes alternatives for road diets and bicycle and pedestrian improvements on Mount Auburn Street between Common Street and Coolidge Hill, the MassDOT team recommends installation of traffic calming measures and pedestrian upgrades along the Mount Auburn Street corridor to improve safety. The major elements of this project Page 22 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report include: • Restripe Mount Auburn Street to provide a single travel lane separated by a two- way left -turn lane and 5-foot bicycle lanes on either side of the roadway. • Construct bump -outs at intersections to narrow the roadway and reduce the pedestrian crossing width. • Install ADA-compliant ramps and pedestrian crossing warning signs at pedestrian crossings, and restripe crosswalks. The proposed improvements along Mount Auburn Street (Route 16) will improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians crossing the intersection, as well as for bicyclists traveling through the intersection by reducing motorists travel speed. The construction of curb bump -outs at key intersections will provide choke points which will encourage motorists to reduce speed while providing dedicated lanes for bicyclists. The reconstructed curb ramps will improve accessibility for all pedestrians. Installation of MUTCD compliant signage and pavement markings will help convey the intended messages to drivers. Recommendation 4 — Relocate Pedestrian Signal on Mount Auburn Street The is a pedestrian signal located on Mount Auburn Street just west of Oakley Road, which provides a connection to O'Connell Park. During the observations at arrival and dismissal of school, the MassDOT team observed less than 5 students utilize the Oakley Road crossing. The majority of students walking to Hosmer School to/from neighborhoods north of Mount Auburn Street use Winthrop Street or Boylston Street to access the school. Therefore, the signal at Oakley Road is underutilized. The MassDOT team recommends removing the pedestrian signal at Oakley Road and installing a fully - actuated traffic signal with pedestrian phases, push-button, and countdown indications at the Mount Auburn Street intersection with Boylston Street. This is also consistent with a proposal by World Tech Engineering as part of the Mount Auburn Street Corridor Study in 2011. The pedestrian signals will provide dedicated phases for pedestrians to cross the roadway without conflict with vehicular traffic. The ADA-compliant push buttons and accessible ramps with tactile warning devices would improve accessibility for elderly, vision - impaired, or disabled pedestrians. The reconstructed curb ramps will improve accessibility for all pedestrians. Installation of MUTCD compliant signals and signage will help convey the intended messages to drivers. Recommendation 5 — Install Bicycle Improvements on School Street Connecting to Watertown Greenway The Watertown Greenway runs from the intersection of School Street and Arsenal Street to the intersection of Arlington Street and Nichols Avenue. There are plans to extend this path to the Charles River Path to the south and to Cambridge bike paths. Although this path would not likely serve as a route to the Hosmer School, it is an important regional bicycle connection that would benefit biking in Watertown, especially combined with local traffic calming. The MassDOT team recommends that the Town of Watertown consider installing bicycle improvements along School Street to improve the connection to the Watertown Greenway. Due to the presence of on -street parking and the width of Page 23 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report the roadway, these bicycle accommodations are likely to include installation of "sharrow" pavement markings and Share -the -Road signage along the corridor. Installation of MUTCD compliant signage and pavement markings will help convey the intended messages to drivers. Page 24 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report 5 Next Steps MassDOT intends to advance the proposed infrastructure project due to its ability to help increase the number of children walking and bicycling to school and substantially improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. The benefit of the proposed SRTS infrastructure project was assessed based on the inventory of existing infrastructure and identification of critical gaps, student residency / density information indicating the number of students that would benefit from infrastructure improvements as well as pedestrian / bicycle collision occurrence. In order to successfully complete an SRTS infrastructure project, MassDOT and the Town of Watertown must work together to advance it through the SRTS Infrastructure Program process. The next steps include design and permitting, which are described in detail in Section 5.2 below. Schedules related to these activities can vary depending upon the school calendar (especially summer vacation), ability to reach a consensus on recommended actions, timing of Town Meeting, logistics of the Town's right-of-way acquisition process, and other factors. Although the project development process is comprehensive and can take a significant amount of time, each step is necessary to satisfy requirements for the use of Federal money to build these projects. MassDOT and the Town of Watertown each have important responsibilities, described below. Cooperation and communication between MassDOT and the Town will help to make the process move as smoothly and quickly as possible. 5.1 Project Approval (Step 1) In order to advance the identified projects, the Town of Watertown must formally accept the recommendations in the report. This formal acceptance will entail the following steps: Collaborative Review and Final Concept Development The SRTS infrastructure project proposed for funding by MassDOT will be reviewed by the Director of Engineering, the Town Manager, and other relevant Town staff, and refined in collaboration with MassDOT and its consultants. Formal Review and Approval Assuming endorsement by the Director of Engineering and Town Manager, the proposed SRTS project must then be submitted to the Town Council for approval. The Town's legal counsel should review the assessment and provide guidance to the Town regarding the right-of-way process, including the need for a permanent easement(s) on school property for any areas where Federal funds will be used for new or upgraded pedestrian or bicycle facilities. To ensure community support for a proposed project, MassDOT strongly encourages the Town to invite public comment from both the project abutters and the school community. Should the Town's staff require assistance in presenting the recommendations, a representative of MassDOT would be available to participate in such a meeting. Page 25 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report Formal approval requires a vote of the Town Council and a letter from the Town Manager stating the Town's support of the proposed SRTS infrastructure project in its conceptual form. Assumption of Town Responsibilities The Town of Watertown must also formally accept its responsibilities for implementing the project. This requires a vote of endorsement from the Town Council and submission of a letter from the Town Manager that acknowledges municipal responsibility for the right-of-way acquisition process and the municipality's assumption of costs associated with legal counsel review and fee takings, if required. Right-of-way needs are generally limited to narrow strip easements adjacent to the public right-of-way to provide space for a sidewalk; as a result, costs are usually not high. The Town of Watertown must also identify a municipal liaison who will be responsible for leading future design reviews with municipal staff, organizing public meetings, and coordinating the right-of-way acquisition process described below. 5.2 Design, Evaluation, and Construction (Steps 2 & 3) Once the SRTS infrastructure project is proposed and approved by MassDOT, a project design will be advanced in coordination with MassDOT and the Town's municipal liaison. This project design will require conformance with MassDOT's Project Development and Design Guide and HTC Directive as applicable. Ground Survey The design work will require detailed topographic ground survey and right-of-way layout research to properly locate the proposed infrastructure. The detailed ground survey is needed for any required utility design, including drainage, and to identify and minimize any impacts to the abutting parcels. Ground survey costs are covered by the SRTS program. Right -of -Way Certification (Municipal Responsibility) The survey and design process would identify any fee takings and any easements (both temporary and permanent) on private property that are needed for construction. The Town would be required to secure all fee takings and easements necessary to complete the project. The identification and legal clearance of the public right-of-way must be completed prior to MassDOT's issuance of a Right -of -Way Certificate, which is necessary to enable the use of Federal funds for construction activities as part of the SRTS program. As Watertown is a town with a city form of government, the acquisition of land generally requires a 2/3 vote of the Town Council. The vote is typically scheduled following the preparation of the Final Right -of -Way Plans. As Town Meetings are typically conducted once or twice per year, the timing of the submission of the warrant article for the Town's legal counsel review is critical to the overall schedule of the project. MassDOT will fund the preparation of roadway layout and easement plans that may be required for the project. Although the school is publically-owned property, the Town of Watertown would still be required to perform an Oder of Taking for any easements on the school Page 26 of 29 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report property; this plan needs to be recorded at the Registry of Deeds and is a requirement to secure the Federal funds for this project. Permitting MassDOT would coordinate any necessary Categorical Exclusion (CE) requests as part of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting. These permitting elements require coordination with the MassDOT Highway Division's Environmental Section, Right -of -Way Bureau, and relevant District office. Final Design and Programming As part of the SRTS program, the MassDOT Highway Division may accept a combined submission at the 25 percent/75 percent design stage in order to expedite the design review process for projects that are primarily associated with new sidewalk construction or reconstruction. Figure 6, presents a generalized summary of the steps required as part of the design and permitting process with associated time frames. All design costs are managed and funded as part of the MassDOT SRTS program. Construction After final plans, specifications, and cost estimates (PS & E) are completed and approved, the MassDOT Highway Division would publicly advertise the project for construction bids. Upon selection of a construction firm, a contract would be prepared and signed. The Highway Division would oversee the project through the appropriate District office. All eligible construction costs would be covered by MassDOT's SRTS program. Pre -and Post -Construction Evaluation To quantify the benefits of the project, pre -construction and post -construction evaluations would be undertaken by MassDOT. For additional information about the SRTS Infrastructure Program or to provide written comments on this Preliminary Assessment, please contact: Nikki Tishler MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning Ten Park Plaza, Room 4150 Boston, MA 02116-3973 nicole.tishlerkstate.ma.us Page 27 of 29 K a cc -a �o Design and Permitting Timeframe isMunicipality invites public comment and project receives positive vote from Board of Selectmen or City Council. commitment to fulfill responsibilities from chief executive. Obtain approval from the MossDOT project review committee (PRC) to - initiate a design/construction project with a specific funding program (e.g., Safe Routes to School FY2017) and project schedule. 4 Complete field surve Prepare 25/75% design package & preliminary Right -of -Way plan. • Send early environmental coordination letters. Conduct an early coordination meeting with the municipality to review the current design and address any comments. btain MassDOT/municipal review of 25/75% design. 6 Conduct a ROW coordination meeting with the municipality to review the ROW acquisition process. •' Schedule, advertise, and conduct design public hearing. ..�.,r.,......, �.,......�...�, r. ter... � . ,,,, ,....��.y........ ....... . Right -of -Way plans. Obtain environmental permits (if required). • Obtain MossDOT/municipal review of 100% design. Municipality acquires takings and easements. Prepare PS&E plan package for final review and advertisement; Project programmed (Federal funds obligated). onMossDOT advertises project to solicit construction bids. > = MassDOT prepares construction contract and issues a 12 contractor's Notice to Proceed. e» Ca Total Approximate Design & Permitting Schedule 1 IW 1 1-3 2 2 ' <2 1-2 Hosmer Elementary School — Watertown, Massachusetts — Preliminary Assessment Report This report was prepared by the TEC, Inc. Team: TiEC AMW Kevin Dandrade, PE, PTOE TEC, Inc. Principal / Project Manager 65 Glenn Street Lawrence, MA 01843 kdandrade&theen in�gcorp.com with Toole Design Group 33 Broad Street Boston, MA 02201 J#■ Toole Design Group the COLLABORATIVE Planners Collaborative Design Collaborative Communications Collaborative Page 29 of 29