Today’s vote by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization means that funds for the long-delayed upgrade of Needham Street in Newton and Highland Avenue in Needham will be available for construction to begin starting in 2018.
Funds to fix Needham Street have been approved
by Greg Reibman | Jul 30, 2015 | Newton | 14 comments
It appears the project is stalled at 25% design. Hoping there’s still a chance to lobby for improvements. Perhaps the business community could help. My short list:
Eliminate the TWLTL wherever possible, and reconsider plan to add one to Winchester Street where there is very little turn demand (e.g. Curtis Street)
At least a plan for undergrounding and an assessment of what investments could or should be made during this project to support future improvements
Protected bicycle lanes along Needham Street
Safe passage for bicycles the full length of the corridor so connections could be made at each end (esp. to points north of Route 9) as well as to the Upper Falls Greenway, which was not accurately identified in the last presentation. Without this, bicycle accommodations are pointless.
A more pedestrian-friendly environment along Winchester Street to and from the T and crossing at the Dedham/Needham Street intersection than currently planned (e.g. unsignalized turn lane). Pedestrian crossings along Needham Street based on pedestrian demand.
Reconsider decision to add capacity for a turning lane into Newton over the Charles River bridge.
Right thing to do. BUT those overhead wires still have to be buried underground.
It would be incredibly foolish to miss this opportunity to bury the overhead utilities. If the State isn’t going to do it, Newton needs to consider a special tax assessment on abutting commercial properties to pay for undergrounding.
@Greg – I believe the project only widens Highland Ave in Needham but does not widen Needham Street.
You cannot go down Needham Street, and look up at all the visual garbage in your field of view and not want somehow to get rid of it. Yes it will cost money but is this culture so impoverished ? It’s a third world image rivaled only by our MBTA.
@Blueprintbill: Needham Street could certainly use a face lift, but comparing it to the “third world” tells us two things:
1. You need to get out more and learn about what conditions in the third world actually are.
2. the fact that you do believe Needham Street resembles something like this should help the rest of us put your fear mongering about the urbanization of Newton in perspective.
I think Soviet era Eastern Europe would have been a better [and entirely accurate] comparison.
I get out quite a bit (150,000 miles per year) and I can confirm that only a handful of developed countries still use overhead wiring in their urban and suburban districts – most notably the US and Japan.
@Greg, that picture is probably the Kibera slum in Kenya – they don’t have electricity there, but in much of nearby Nairobi, the electrical lines are indeed buried underground.
Perhaps things on Needham St. aren’t as much of a mess as they are in say, urban areas of Nepal, but among countries with high human development indices, overhead wiring is pretty rare.
My point being that Americans accept third-world infrastructure all to easily, under the presumption that things are incredibly advanced here. They’re not.
Mike and Greg,
Having spent some time traveling / driving in the Soviet Union once upon a time , I can assure you that I do get out,.. And what I see here today is not what one can/ should call ‘advanced’. Michael is right ,… We accept 3rd world infrastructure all to easily ,.. And blindly . We are after all exceptional !
@Blue: As I said, Needham Street could use a face lift. But when I think “3rd world infrastructure” I think of clean running water, paved roads and electricity. As I also said, the fact that you think otherwise helps us put your doomsday predictions about Newton in perspective.
Is Adam correct that only Highland Street will be widened and not Needham Street? I thought both were part of the plan.
@ Greg
If you think ‘third world infrastructure’ is nothing but “clean running water, paved roads, and electricity “, I’d say that’s about all you’re getting on Needham Street for all those millions of dollars. Take off the rose colored glasses and look a little more critically at the bill of goods you ( “us” ), are advocating for. Doomsday ?,… Not quite yet, but the kind of unfettered irresponsible and short sighted development being pushed on this city, isn’t going far in the other direction. These sorts of projects ( Needham Street, Wells Ave Condos, Austin Street, Court Street, St Phillip Neri, Rowe Street , Riverside, Crescent Street Park , etc. etc. ), require 20 – 20 vision that you don’t seem willing to advocate for.
@Greg, I have some video of what Blueprintbill is worried about when he hears “transit-oriented development.”
Yes that’s the plan for Austin Street, only with school children.