A report on safety at the intersection of Sparks Street and Mt. Auburn Street

This memo is in response to Order 1 from the April 1, 2016 City Council Meeting (Awaiting Report 16-32), requesting that we investigate potential measures that could be taken to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists crossing Mount Auburn Street at the intersection of Sparks Street.

The Department of Traffic, Parking and Transportation is working with the Community Development Department, the Department of Public Works, and the Cambridge Police Department on a full safety analysis for the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Sparks Street. This study will include analysis of traffic volumes, traffic control, sightlines at the crosswalk, and crash data collected by the Police Department. To better understand the concerns of local residents, City staff recently met informally with residents of 221 Mount Auburn Street to discuss safety concerns at this intersection, and the information gathered at this meeting will provide input into our recommendations.

We will provide an updated report at the summer City Council meeting to discuss the findings of the analysis and potential improvements at this intersection.