Around Town

Watertown Gifted BlueBike Station, Also Using Grant to Expand System

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Arsenal YardsThe BlueBike station outside Arsenal Yards. Watertown will have up to four new BlueBike stations after being gifted one bikeshare docking station and receiving a grant for up to three more. A 19-bike station was donated to the City of Watertown by BlueCross BlueShield and Lyft, City Manager George Proakis announced at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. “They ended up with a spare station, and communities could apply for it,” Proakis said. “We responded and this is a free station being granted to us as a gift.

Around Town

Meeting on Future of Newton Corner to be Hosted by MassDOT

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The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing it will be hosting the second working group meeting for the Newton Corner Long Term Planning Study. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 18, at 4:00 p.m., hosted virtually via Zoom. A dedicated public information meeting will also be held on Tuesday, October 8, at 6:30 p.m.

At this meeting on Wednesday, September 18, the study team will review the existing conditions of the study area and outline issues, opportunities, and constraints. The team will also solicit feedback from the Working Group about the trajectory of this study. The meeting materials will also be available after the meeting on the study website. This will include a discussion with members of the Working Group. 

Advance registration for this Wednesday, September 18 meeting is required.

Around Town

City Receives MassDOT Grant to Expand Bluebikes in Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Great news – the City of Watertown has won a Shared Streets and Spaces Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) that will help pay for operations costs for Bluebikes! This grant will help Watertown fund our public bikeshare system (Bluebikes) to continue to be a resource for the region for years to come. The grant will compliment a system expansion that will serve more people and, in more areas not currently served by the existing system. It will boost our bikeshare system (Bluebikes) in providing more and better connections to the MBTA transit system, so Watertown’s residents & visitors can hop on & off a bike to get closer to their destination or home. Bluebikes is a bedrock of our environmentally-sustainable goals, and this grant will help make our investments in Bluebikes to be more financially sustainable, with a new avenue of funding unlocked.

Around Town

MassDOT Advises Travelers to Plan Ahead for Busy Fourth of July Travel

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The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is advising travelers to plan ahead and expect increased volumes of traffic for the Fourth of July holiday period.  If traveling, MassDOT recommends utilizing “real time” travel tools, checking holiday schedules for public transportation, and planning trip departure times and routes based on available information.    

“With the upcoming Fourth of July holiday approaching, we’re encouraging drivers to plan ahead and make use of MassDOT resources when planning holiday travel,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Travelers should also be aware that the monthlong closure of the Sumner Tunnel will begin on Friday, July 5, and are encouraged to consult MassDOT materials on detours and mitigation options. All of us at MassDOT wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July holiday.”  

All Commonwealth of Massachusetts offices are closed on Thursday, July 4, including Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) customer service locations. Many RMV transactions can be done online:  www.mass.gov/RMV.  In addition, any resident who is a member of AAA can also make appointments at AAA locations for some Registry transactions.  

The Sumner Tunnel in Boston will be closed seven days a week, from Friday, July 5 to Monday, August 5. During this time, traffic will be diverted through other signed detour routes.  This information can be found on the project website at  www.mass.gov/sumner-tunnel 

Using traffic data, MassDOT has created a traffic forecast for the holiday weekend.

Around Town

MassDOT Expects Busy Memorial Day Weekend, Encourages Travelers to Plan Ahead

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging individuals who plan to travel during the Memorial Day holiday weekend to plan, expect increased travel volumes, utilize MassDOT’s “real time” travel tools and resources, and take public transportation as much as possible to help get to planned destinations.   

“We are expecting a very busy travel weekend for this upcoming Memorial Day,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Traffic congestion is expected to grow on Thursday afternoon and will be much heavier than normal early Friday afternoon. Drivers should leave extra time when making travel plans, consult MassDOT resources, and always drive sober and undistracted. We at MassDOT wish everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.” 

Construction operations for the Sumner Tunnel Restoration Project are not occurring this weekend. The tunnel will remain open for travel during the weekend of Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27.  

Using traffic data, MassDOT has created a traffic forecast for the holiday weekend.

Around Town

Hear from the State Transportation Secretary at Charles River Chamber Event

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Hear about addressing the region’s transportation needs when the Charles River Chamber hosts host a conversation with MassDOT Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt in Watertown. The event will take place on Tuesday, May 14, 9:30-11 a.m. at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 25 Bond Street, Watertown. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers

The Chamber provided the following information:

It’s not possible to meet our region’s housing, climate, and workforce challenges without a safe, reliable, and accessible transportation system that meets the needs of all users whether they walk, bike, take public transit, or drive. Join us for a conversation with Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt for an overview of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s plans for improving the state’s transportation system and the role we all must play in supporting this effort. 9:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking

10 a.m.: A Conversation with Secretary Tibbits-Nutt

Tickets are nonrefundable but may be transferred to another guest. 

RSVP HERE

Business

Chamber Events Include Visit From Transportation Secretary, Small Business Day on Beacon Hill & More

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The Charles River Regional Chamber has plenty going on this spring, including a talk with the Transportation Secretary, a young professionals group, Small Business Day at the State House and an LGBTQIA+ Happy Hour. See the information provided by the Chamber below:

Addressing our transportation challenges: A conversation with MassDOT Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt

Tues. May 14, 9:30 to 11 a.m.Hampton Inn & Suites, 25 Bond Street, Watertown$10 for members, $15 for nonmembers

It’s not possible to meet our region’s housing, climate, and workforce challenges without a safe, reliable, and accessible transportation system that meets the needs of all users whether they walk, bike, take public transit, or drive. Join us for a conversation with Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt for an overview of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s plans for improving the state’s transportation system and the role we all must play in supporting this effort. 9:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking

10 a.m.: A Conversation with Secretary Tibbits-Nutt

Tickets are nonrefundable but may be transferred to another guest. 

RSVP HERE

LGBTQIA+ Happy Hour at Flora’s Wine Bar

Wed.