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Under a contract with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Fay,
Spofford & Thorndike, LLC, (FST) has been asked to provide traffic engineering services
to evaluate alternatives to improve public safety along Nonantum Road and its adjacent
parkland in the City of Newton, and the Town of Watertown, Massachusetts. The extent
of the study encompasses roadway and parkland improvements along a 5,500-foot length
of Nonantum Road from the Newton/Boston city line to Galen Street in Watertown.
Major design elements to be evaluated as part of this study include:
a) Feasibility of eliminating one eastbound travel lane on Nonantum Road
b) Opportunity to increase green space and widen multi-use path adjacent to the
river
c) Need for signalization at the intersection of Nonantum Road and Charlesbank Road
This completion of the conceptual phase of this study. The intersections along Nonantum
Road - at Charlesbank Road, Maple Street, Water Street, and at Galen Street - have
been evaluated in terms of traffic operations and accident history. Based on this
evaluation of existing conditions, improvements are recommended which respond to
the operational and safety deficiencies. Improvements include:
a) Reducing the roadway cross-section on Nonantum Road to provide a single travel
lane in each direction with left turn lanes at major intersections
b) Minor geometric improvements at study area intersections
c) Providing landscape enhancements to separate the recreational path from the parkway,
increasing pedestrian safety
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