Norton opposes Fuller’s proposal to create vision for Washington Street

Norton opposes Fuller’s proposal to create vision for Washington Street

by | Feb 1, 2018 | Newton Corner, Washington Street Corridor, West Newton | 85 comments

Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller has proposed spending a $500,000 to hire consultants to work with stakeholder on creating a vision for the Washington Street corridor.

“It’s important that we take charge of Newton’s future, that we decide what the Washington Street corridor should look like going forward,” [Fuller told the Globe’s John Hilliard’ “…All of us in the city of Newton want a thriving, vibrant Washington [Street] corridor that is of the right scale for the residential neighbors who immediately abut it, and works whether you’re trying to go down the corridor on foot, on a bicycle, or in a car.”

But City Councilor Emily Norton tells Hilliard she’s opposed to a study and “pointing to work already done by city and volunteer groups to determine what kind of development residents want to see along Washington Street.”

Read the Globe’s story here.

A vision for the Washington Street corridor

by | Sep 24, 2017 | bicycles, development, Newton, Newton Corner, Newtonville, traffic, West Newton | 30 comments

Jeff Speck recently presented his vision for the Washington Street corridor to the Newton-Needham Chamber, building upon the recent plan for West Newton Square, extending through Newtonville towards Newton Corner.  The main theme is a road diet.  By eliminating underutilized roadway, Newton could create a far more attractive streetscape, open up new opportunities for recreation, transportation safety improvements, public transit, and yes, development.

A road diet might even improve traffic conditions, channelling traffic and eliminating conflicts that come with vehicles changing lanes.  A two-way cycle track along the pike could provide top-notch bicycle facilities  The idea of a road diet and cycle track along the pike is not new; it has been the subject of previous studies and TAG has been pitching it for several years now.  With