That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate departments to produce the petition(s) necessary to accomplish the goal of lowering the speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge’s geographic boundaries, including and especially Memorial Drive

O-4 Calendar Item # 1 FIRST IN COUNCIL September 30, 2024 October 7, 2024 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR NOLAN COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN WHEREAS: As previously requested by the City Council with POR 2023 #87, the December 2022 roadway safety bill, “An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities”, contains a provision which allows municipalities to seek state approval to modify the speed limit on a state highway within their geographic boundaries; and WHEREAS: The tragic traffic fatality of a bicyclist on Memorial Drive last week highlights the danger present on sections of Memorial Drive and the limitations of Cambridge’s ability to make essential safety improvements within the City; and WHEREAS: The danger presented by the current design has long been evident, and both advocates and state legislators have been calling on the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to create a full-width shared-use path that can provide adequate space and protection for the significant numbers of pedestrians and cyclists that use the path; and WHEREAS: In alignment with the City’s longstanding commitment to Vision Zero, the City Council is in full support of lowering the speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge’s geographic boundaries; as well as review potential improvements to pedestrian and cyclist safety by implementing infrastructure improvements and further separation; and WHEREAS: In order to guarantee safety improvements are made on Memorial Drive, a state-owned roadway, coordination with relevant state agencies responsible for those projects is essential; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the appropriate departments to produce the petition(s) necessary to accomplish the goal of lowering the speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge’s geographic boundaries, including and especially Memorial Drive; and to meet with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to discuss additional measures to improve safety along Memorial Drive that can be implemented in the short term; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Council go on record in support of redesigning Memorial Drive to expand green space, improve road crossings and sidewalks, and replace two motor vehicle travel lanes with protected multi-use paths along the full length of Memorial Drive, which will allow sidewalks on both sides of Memorial Drive to be designated for pedestrian use; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the appropriate departments and prepare a communication to Commissioner Arrigo of the Department of Conservation and Recreation for immediate updates on the next phases of the Memorial Drive Greenway Improvements and urge DCR to prioritize pedestrian and bicycle safety measures within the improvement projects; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council by November 2024.

History: 09/30/24 City Council CHARTER RIGHT Next: 10/07/24