Government

Watertown Shuttle Could be Free for Residents, More Routes Requested

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More details about the planned Watertown shuttle were discussed, including free rides for residents, during Tuesday’s Transportation subcommittee meeting. The shuttle is part of the town’s Transportation Management Association (TMA), and will be paid for largely by large companies and the big apartment complexes going up on Arsenal and Pleasant streets. Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon said that his vision for the shuttle would allow Watertown residents to ride free. “There has been some misconceptions since our last meeting that residents would have to pay to ride the shuttle,” Magoon said. “My expectation is that developers would pay the vast majority of the cost, but the town would also make a financial contribution.

Government

Potential Shuttle Routes Revealed from Harvard Square to Watertown

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A shuttle that would enhance Watertown’s public transportation offerings has been proposed that would link businesses and residents on Arsenal and Pleasant Streets to Harvard Square, but other routes would not be part of the service, yet. The proposal came from the 128 Business Council, which is working with the town to create a Transportation Management Association (TMA), of which the shuttle would be a piece. Patrick Sullivan, of the 128 Business Council, told the Council’s Transportation subcommittee that he believes a shuttle could make six runs in the morning and six in the evening if it went from Harvard Square, cut down Coolidge Avenue and ran along Arsenal Street, and finally turned around in Watertown Square. While the stops are at certain businesses and apartment complexes, it would be open to everyone. Employees of corporations would ride for free, and a fare would be charged to other riders, but how much is not known yet.

Arsenal on the Charles

Athenahealth Reveals Plans to Cut Number of Cars Coming to Arsenal Site

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Athenahealth released details of how it will seek to reduce the number of people driving to work alone, and it will participate in the town’s effort to bring a shuttle to Watertown. 

On Wednesday, the company that owns the Arsenal on the Charles released its Transportation Demand Management plan that was created as part of its proposal to redevelop the former U.S. Army facility on Arsenal Street. The plan calls for the company to employ a full-time, on-site Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, as would any subsequent owner of the complex. It will also join MassRides, a group that will “encourage healthy transportation options for employees.” Athenahealth’s plan said the company will participate in the Watertown Transportation Management Association, which is likely to include a shuttle. The company said it would contribute in a proportional way with other developments in the area.

Government

Watertown Looks Around at Other Towns for Ideas to Improve Transportation

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Local efforts to improve transportation when Watertown officials have little influence on the MBTA can be tough, but they looked at what some neighbors are doing for inspiration. Transportation directors from Newton and Waltham, as well as a consultant who works on transportation plans, came to a forum on June 16, organized by the Watertown Pubic Transportation Task Force, the Town Council an the Department of Community Development and Planning. Both Waltham and Newton have completed extensive transportation planning efforts and are close to making recommendations a reality. Watertown will be embarking on such a transportation planning effort soon. Ralph DiNisco, principal of transportation planners Nelson Nygaard, gave some advice to Watertown. “Plan for things you want, not the things you are afraid of,” DiNisco said.

Around Town

Abandoned Trolley Tracks Discovered Under Arsenal Street

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A construction crew doing work along Arsenal Street found something surprising under the roadway – abandoned trolley tracks from days gone by. Watertown News reader Rachel Jacobs photographed the rails as she drove along Arsenal Street on Thursday. The rails had been paved over and were left from a defunct trolley line that linked Watertown Square with Central Square in Cambridge, and went over Western Avenue in Brighton. The rails will likely be removed. The trolley line pre-dated the MBTA, according to Town Councilor and transportation buff Vincent Piccirilli after a meeting that – appropriately – discussed the future of transportation in Watertown Thurday night.

Government

Forum Will Educate Public About Transportation & Traffic Issues in Town

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A local group wants to give residents a voice in how transportation and traffic in Watertown looks in the future, and will hold a forum to educate residents about transportation planning. Traffic and public transportation have become big issues in Watertown, and will be even more vital as developments go up on Arsenal and Pleasant streets. So, the Watertown Public Transit Task Force, the Town Council and the Watertown Community Development and Planning Department will organize a forum on Thursday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library. The event is free and open to the all residents, employees and business owners in Watertown. The goal of the forum is to increase the shared knowledge about what modern transportation planning can do in municipalities like Watertown to improve local transportation and ease traffic congestion.

Transportation

MassDOT Has Technology to Help You Avoid Traffic on Memorial Day Weekend

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced it is encouraging the public this Memorial Day Weekend to take advantage of technology tools for drivers, to travel during low volume times on major roadways, and to make note of service hours at Registry Branch Offices and for the MBTA.   

In recent years, the heaviest traffic on roadways is observed during Thursday, Friday, and Monday afternoons and early evenings.  Drivers are encouraged to make travel plans accordingly and if possible on those days to avoid the hours between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Traffic is especially heavy on I-90 at the I-84 interchange at Exit 9 in Sturbridge on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and at the I-90 Exit 11A, I-495 interchange, which handles vehicles headed south to Cape Cod and north to New Hampshire and Maine. For traffic and road conditions, drivers may use new technology to make decisions:

Customers may dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions,
Visit mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information,
Access MassDOT traffic cameras. Customers may visit www1.eot.state.ma.us/ in order to view traffic camera images covering portions of Route 3, Route 6, Route 28, and parts of  I-90, I-91,  I-93, and I-95. Download the Ridewise app. Customers may use Ridewise to obtain travel times for various routes including Route 3, Route 6, I-93 and portions of I-90.  The app is available on Android and iPhone.

Government

Public Forum on Transportation in Watertown Coming Up

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The Watertown Public Transit Task Force, in collaboration with the Town Council Transportation Committee and the Watertown Department of Community Development and Planning, presents a public forum on transportation planning for Watertown. The Watertown Transportation Planning Public Forum will be held Thursday, June 16, 2016, from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. at the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St. in Watertown. Modeled after WPTTF’s very successful public program on Transportation Management Associations (TMA) held last year, the impetus for this June planning forum is the growing interest among residents for comprehensive transportation planning for Watertown. The program will include presentations on the ABCs of municipal transportation planning, examples of transportation planning taking place in nearby communities, transportation-related initiatives in Watertown and a round table Q&A.