Dear Concord Ave Neighbor:
This notice is being sent to e-mail lists maintained by the City of Cambridge Department of Public Works and Community Development Department related to the Concord-Alewife, Cambridge Highlands, and Blanchard Road area. The attached notice is also being mailed to direct abutters of this project.
Please let me know if you would like additional information.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Fuentes
Community Relations Manager
Department of Public Works
City of Cambridge
Public Works Economic Development (PWED) Grant Application
Concord Avenue Reconstruction (Fresh Pond Parkway to Blanchard Road)
The City of Cambridge is in the process of applying for a $1.2M grant from the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works (EOTPW) Public Works Economic Development (PWED) grant program for the reconstruction of Concord Avenue between Blanchard Road and Fresh Pond Parkway, including:
- Repaving the street, and maintaining the existing number of lanes available for vehicles
- Constructing new concrete sidewalks to provide a continuous walking path for pedestrians, and adding an improved crossing at Spinelli Place
- Enhancing bicycle facilities by raising the bicycle lanes along Concord Avenue and improving the connections to and from the paths at the reservation.
- Adding additional green space through significant planting opportunities, which would create a “green” gateway into the corridor.
These proposed improvements are consistent with the following goals outlined in the 2005 Concord Alewife Study:
- Enhance the character of Concord Avenue by improving its streetscape
- Improve traffic circulation within the Quadrangle by enhancing existing roads
- Improve the streetscape within the Quadrangle to enhance the pedestrian and bicycle environment
- Strengthen pedestrian/bicycle access to Alewife Station to improve connections to transit and to the Minuteman Path and Linear Park
- Improve the pedestrian environment along Concord Avenue and providing safe crossings.
The PWED Program was created by the Legislature to assist municipalities in funding transportation infrastructure for the purpose of stimulating economic development. One of PWED’s stated objectives is to advance the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Sustainable Development Principles, which include mixed use development, transportation choice, and regional benefits, making the proposed improvements along Concord Avenue a good candidate for funding.
Public Hearing
Those who wish to learn more about this project or to comment are invited to a public hearing
Tuesday, March 10, 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Cambridge Water Treatment Facility, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway
The City of Cambridge does not discriminate on the basis of disability, and will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities upon request. This meeting location is wheelchair accessible.
Written Comment
Those who cannot attend the hearing are invited to submit written comment to the Cambridge Department of Public Works (attention Rebecca Fuentes, Community Relations Manager) via mail to 147 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, or via e-mail to rfuentes@cambridgema.gov. Comments should arrive no later than noon on Thursday, March 12, 2009 to ensure they are considered in development of the grant application.
Construction
Should this project be funded, we anticipate construction will take place from Fall 2009-Fall 2010, and will begin with installation of a new water main. Please e-mail rfuentes@cambridgema.gov to sign up to receive future project updates via e-mail.
