COF 2019 #30 : A communication was received from City Clerk Donna P. Lopez, transmitting a communication from Mayor McGovern, transmitting a letter Widening the Design of the Community Path Extension.

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR mayor@cambridgema.gov Marc C. McGovern Phone: [phone removed] Mayor Fax: [phone removed] To: Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk From: Marc C. McGovern, Mayor Date: May 6, 2019 Subject: Submitting Letter from Mayor in Ensuring Safe Passing Width on CPX Madame Clerk: Please include the attached letter “Please Widen the Design of the Community Path Extension” in Communications and Reports from City Officers of the Regular City Council Agenda for May 13, 2019. Thanks,

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR mayor@cambridgema.gov Marc C. McGovern Phone: [phone removed] Mayor Fax: [phone removed] TO: Governor Charlie Baker DATE: May 3, 2019 SUBJECT: Please Widen the Design of the Community Path Extension Dear Governor Baker: I would like to thank you for your continued support for multi-use trails and for your efforts to establish a comprehensive regional path network. I am writing to join my fellow residents who are all strong advocates for the Community Path Extension (CPX) being designed and built as part of the Green Line Extension (GLX) project. We are concerned that the 10-foot path width in the present design of the CPX (including the stretch from East Somerville station to the path at Cambridge Crossing) is not sufficiently wide to accommodate the anticipated high volume of pedestrian and cyclist use. As such, the CPX is not being designed according to State and federal engineering standards to allow safe passing. Therefore, I am writing to urge you and your staff to direct MassDOT and MBTA staff and design consultants to widen the Community Path Extension that will be built as part of the GLX project. Specifically, I am requesting MassDOT to require a minimum paved width of 11-ft to 14-ft with at least 2-foot shoulders for the CPX. A multi-use path needs a minimum width of 11-ft for a cyclist or wheelchair to safely pass two pedestrians or cyclists, or to allow safe passing in one direction when another path user approaches heading the opposite direction. Creating the 2-foot shoulder will also allow for proper snow removal that does not further narrow the path for users. The CPX will be the most significant off-road, multi-use path facility constructed in the Commonwealth of the past three decades. Regionally, CPX will link together several bicycle-pedestrian paths: ▪ To the West: The CPX will connect to the Minuteman Bikeway; ▪ To the East: The CPX will connect the Charles River paths and the Freedom Trail; ▪ To the South: The CPX will link to the Grand Junction Path; and ▪ To the North: The CPX will connect to proposed Mystic Connector path leading to the Mystic River and Northern Strand Trails. Failure to provide a CPX which, at minimum, measures 11-ft in width will result in an increased potential in conflict and collisions, which may prove dangerous and even life threatening for users of the CPX, especially vulnerable users. Thank you for your consideration of this request to ensure that the CPX meets federal and State safety requirements for multi-use paths based on Peak Use. Regards,