A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-6 regarding safety improvements at the intersection of Cambridge Street, Cardinal Medeiros Avenue, and Warren Street

To: Yi-An Huang, City Manager From: Brooke McKenna, Commissioner Date: April 10, 2025 Subject: Awaiting Report 2025-6 In response to Awaiting Report 25-6 requesting that the City Manager work with the Transportation Department to investigate safety improvements at the intersection of Cambridge Street, Cardinal Medeiros Avenue, and Warren Street, we report the following: Context and Background This intersection carries heavy commuter traffic in both the east-west and north-south directions, and the offset geometry between Cardinal Medeiros and Warren Street makes movements awkward. Left turns onto both side streets are heavy. Pedestrian volumes are high, and bike use is growing quickly. The intersection is among those city-owned, uncontrolled (without a traffic signal) locations with the highest number of crashes citywide. A traffic signal was installed at this location many decades ago but was removed a short time later. In June 2016, transportation engineering consultant VHB completed a traffic study of this intersection, recommending against installing a traffic signal, given the complexities of the location. After the VHB report was filed, the City began planning for a multi-use path along the Grand Junction Rail corridor, which crosses Cambridge Street about 100 feet east of Warren Street. One result of the planning discussion was that design and construction of a traffic signal at Cardinal Medeiros and Warren should be done with the Grand Junction because of the proximity of the two intersections. Discussion Recently, it has become clear that due to the Eversource Greater Cambridge Energy project, the Grand Junction project will not develop at the pace previously anticipated, but safety deficiencies at Cardinal Medeiros and Warrant persist. Staff have decided to move ahead with planning and concept to improve safety at this location. Despite the recommendation of VHB, we have decided to move ahead with a concept that includes a traffic signal. For this project, a traffic signal would provide the highest level of protection for people walking and bicycling through the intersection. As VHB showed in their report, designing a traffic signal that will accommodate the passenger vehicle, freight, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian modes safely and efficiently will be a challenge. The odd geometry and limited space present the main constraints. Additionally, the future Grand Junction crossing at Cambridge Street will need traffic signal control of its own, while retaining the active rail line. Transportation planning and engineering staff and its consulting design team will begin brainstorming ideas this spring. We will begin concept design and public outreach shortly after. Concept design will include a

2 design approach to the Grand Junction crossing, stopping short of construction documents. This will ensure that any future design of the Grand Junction crossing will function well with the new Cardinal Medeiros traffic signal at Warren Street. Transportation staff will ensure that all goals of the project will be met – safer movements for all road users while maintaining an acceptable level of service. Concept design work will begin late Spring or early Summer of 2025.