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Redefining Our Community

This page contains information about the Neighborhood Slow Streets plan for the Redefining Our Community neighborhood.

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Neighborhood Slow Streets is Boston's approach to traffic calming on residential streets. We're focused on street designs that self-enforce slower speeds and safer behaviors. Through this program, we aim to:

  • reduce the number and severity of crashes on residential streets
  • lessen the impacts of traffic, and
  • add to the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

The Redefining Our Community neighborhood is one of five communities selected to join the program in 2018.

  • Have questions? Contact:

  • Get updates

    Sign up to get email updates specific to the Redefining our Community neighborhood.

  • Looking for general information about the Neighborhood Slow Streets program? Visit the Neighborhood Slow Streets page.

Construction update

Construction for your neighborhood is prioritized in 2022.

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH CONSTRUCTION: 

When construction is scheduled, we will send an update to our email list for that zone. Construction crews will post "No Parking" signs at least 48 hours before any work that impacts parking. Temporary signs and markings will be added. 

Our Neighborhood Slow Streets program makes lasting safety improvements for our residents. Each zone's design includes reconstruction of several intersections. That's in addition to tools such as speed humps, pavement markings, and signs. Our engineered design plans have been fully approved and are ready for construction.

You can expect different construction crews for each part of the design plan. Construction schedules are weather-dependent. You can generally expect the following:

  • Mini-roundabout at Milton Avenue and Edson Street: Construction will take about three weeks, weather permitting. The intersection will be repaved. Final pavement markings will be installed within a few weeks of construction. While most work will be done during the day, final pavement markings will be installed overnight so the paint dries before traffic picks up in the morning. 
  • Speed humps: Construction may take a few days. The speed humps will have temporary paint and signage.
  • Clear corners: Signs and pavement markings for clear corners have already been installed.

View the plan!

View the safety improvements we'll install as part of the Redefine Our Community and Dorchester Unified Neighborhood Slow Streets zones. 

View the Final Plan!

A closer look

We're slowing turns and improving crosswalks at wide intersections, installing corner parking restrictions at corners where visibility is a challenge, and installing speed humps throughout the neighborhood.

Click image to view larger:


Redefine Our Community Plan

 

View the Neighborhood Handout

Evans Street 

Evans Street

At the request of residents, Evans Street will be converted to a one-way street toward Morton Street. Corner parking restrictions on side-streets will reduce visibility issues. They will also enable people to turn safely onto Evans Street.

Before proposing one-way conversions, the Boston Transportation Department collects traffic counts and analyzes how drivers will be redirected. 

Evans Street One-Way Study

Norfolk Street, Corbet Street, and Nelson Street 

Norfolk Street and Corbet Street/Nelson Street
The design will slow turns and create a safer crossing.  A pedestrian island allows for a shorter crosswalk. It also provides a space for people to pause as they cross Corbet Street and Nelson Street.
Milton Avenue and Edson Street

Milton Avenue and Edson Street
A mini-roundabout and curb extensions, where the sidewalk is extended at the crosswalk, will slow travel through the intersection. They will also create a safe place to cross the street.  Speed humps will slow drivers as they approach the intersection where the two streets meet.
Hopkins Street and Corbet Street 

Hopkins Street and Corbet Street
The design will create a "T-intersection" with right-angle turns.  The sidewalk is extended into the street to create a safer crossing and make the corner square-shaped.  This will reduce visibility issues at the corner and create a safer crossing.

This image is a photo rendering of the intersection of corbet street and hopkins street with design interventions that make the crosswalk safer. At the crosswalk, the sidewalk is extended slightly into the street so that people have more space to wait and are more visible to drivers.
A photo rendering that shows what the "T-intersection" will look like at Corbet Street and Hopkins Street.

Project Updates

Past Updates

We are working on incorporating the following proposals into draft plans: 

  • Convert Evans Street to one-way toward Morton Street; add speed humps on Evans Street to slow drivers
  • Create a safer intersection at Milton Avenue and Edson with a mini-roundabout, curb extensions, and new crosswalks
  • Add two raised crosswalks on Milton Avenue

Fall 2019 Updates Summary

September 2019

We sent letters to residents of Evans Street and passed out flyers in-person to residents along the street with the following proposal:

  • Convert Evans Street to one way toward Morton Street between Capen Street and Morton Street
  • Add speed humps on Evan Street.  We'll also add speed humps on other streets in the Redefine Our Community Neighborhood between Norfolk Street and Evans Street. 

Evans Street Proposal 

We hosted a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. on June 20 at 45 Stanton Street in Dorchester.  We shared concept plans for community feedback.

June 20 Meeting Flier 

June 20 presentation

We shared design concepts for improving safety at intersections: 

Milton/Edson Intersection design Concepts

Norfolk/Corbet/Nelson and
Hopkins/Corbet Design Concept

We joined community members for a neighborhood walk on Monday, October 8, 2018, at 4 p.m. This walk was an opportunity for community members to share their transportation-related safety concerns. We started at Norfolk Street and Edson Street and neighbors were welcome to join all or some of the walk.

The walk was not the only time or place for community members to provide input on the Neighborhood Slow Streets project. Neighbors can also share their concerns:

What we learned from the walk will supplement:

  • engineering observations
  • data collected through speed and volume studies, and
  • the information provided on the Safety Concerns map and through email and phone calls.

2018 Application Period

Neighborhood Slow Streets prioritizes street safety improvements in areas:

  • with a history of serious crashes
  • with a high number of residents more likely to be killed or seriously injured walking or biking (children, older adults, and people living with disabilities)
  • that include places people may walk or bike to (schools, libraries, parks, community centers, bus stops, or transit stations),  and
  • near existing or planned opportunities for walking, biking, or taking transit.

2018 Application Period information

  • Have questions? Contact:

  • Get updates

    Sign up to get email updates specific to the Redefining our Community neighborhood.

  • Looking for general information about the Neighborhood Slow Streets program? Visit the Neighborhood Slow Streets page.

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