Redefining Our Community
This page contains information about the Neighborhood Slow Streets plan for the Redefining Our Community neighborhood.
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.
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:
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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.
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Speed humps: Construction may take a few days. The speed humps will have temporary paint and signage.
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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.
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.
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.
Norfolk Street, Corbet Street, and Nelson Street
Milton Avenue and Edson Street
Hopkins Street and Corbet Street
Project Updates
Past UpdatesWe 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
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.
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.
We shared design concepts for improving safety at intersections:
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:
- on the Vision Zero Safety Concerns map
- by sending an email to visionzero@boston.gov
- by calling 617-635-4765, or
- at future community meetings.
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.