Published in the June 27, 2018 edition
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — With the goal of improving the town’s sidewalks and intersections, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a Complete Streets policy last week.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) established the Complete Streets Funding Program in order to provide “technical assistance and construction funding to eligible municipalities.” Selectmen Chairman Dick Dalton said towns that adopt a Complete Streets policy “are eligible for state funding for roadway improvement projects.”
After reviewing results from the Master Plan Survey and speaking with residents, Town Administrator Rob Dolan said, “Infrastructure has been a key issue I heard.”
“When I drive to work every day, I see children walking to school, countless runners and bicyclists,” said Dolan. “Roads are not just for cars. Street sidewalks provide transportation for people who are being more active. Most towns are now looking at how their infrastructure could be improved with what is termed as a Complete Street. A Complete Street provides accommodations for all forms of transportation with safety in mind.”
Dolan noted he and the selectmen have established a goal this year seeking to improve the town’s sidewalks.
“If the town of Lynnfield is counting on tax dollars to make these improvements, there will be small and incremental improvements,” said Dolan. “Those improvements will be important, but it will take so long (to complete) that we need to do something a little more dramatic. Although the state is withdrawing a lot of funding sources, the state is investing when it comes to infrastructure.”
Environmental Partners Transportation Director James Fitzgerald gave an overview of the Complete Streets program to the selectmen.
“Complete Streets are roadways that provide accommodations for all users regardless of age and abilities,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s a new focus on transportation. There is not a one size fits all approach.”
Fitzgerald said the Complete Streets program is designed to make roadways safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.
“We want to keep the vehicles moving through in an efficient manner,” said Fitzgerald. “However, the thought process of providing nice wide travel lanes is really a thing of the past. What we find is the wider the travel lane, the faster vehicles are traveling. It’s not safe for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.”
Additionally, Fitzgerald said the program is designed to promote the health and wellness of residents in cities and towns across the state.
Fitzgerald said the Complete Streets program was established in 2014 when former Gov. Deval Patrick signed the Transportation Bond Bill. He said $50 million was allocated to the program that would be spent over the course of five years. He said MassDOT appropriated $12.5 million for fiscal year 2017.
“The funding has continued since then,” said Fitzgerald. “The Complete Streets Funding Program is focused on providing an incentive for municipalities to really think long and hard about Complete Streets and their every day operations.”
In order to receive state funding, Fitzgerald said cities and towns are required to adopt a policy.
“It just states the town’s commitment to Complete Streets when they make sense,” said Fitzgerald. “MassDOT does not have unrealistic expectations when it comes to this approach.”
Fitzgerald said the town could receive up to $400,000 for infrastructure improvement projects. He said the funds could be used for sidewalk reconstruction, intersection reconstruction, traffic calming, street lighting, bike lanes, shared use paths and traffic lights.
After a Complete Streets policy is adopted, Fitzgerald said the next step in the process is developing a “prioritization plan.” He said the third step in the process is getting a top project or several projects approved.
“It’s a competitive process, but communities of all sizes are getting these funds,” said Fitzgerald. “MassDOT is trying to spread the money around to municipalities.”
In response to a question from Dalton, Dolan said the proposed Complete Streets policy will serve as the first step in the process in order to receive state funding for sidewalk improvement projects. He also said the town would like to receive state funds in order to improve intersections.
Town Engineer Charlie Richter said the proposed policy will establish guidelines for the town.
“It doesn’t require us to force bike lanes on the streets that don’t have bike lanes,” said Richter. “It requires us to take a look at what facilities we can improve on these streets for bicyclists and pedestrians so people move through these streets and intersections safely.”
Dalton inquired if adopting the policy required the town to make a “binding commitment” to the program. Dolan said that would not be the case.
Selectman Phil Crawford expressed his support for the Complete Streets program because a number of residents have requested that the town improve its sidewalks.
“I think this is a fantastic compliment to our roads program,” said Crawford. “We have been increasing the funding for roads over the years, although we only have a limited amount of funding to spread out. We are not committing to a certain design that we have to follow, so it makes it a win-win for the town.”
After the discussion, the selectmen unanimously approved the Complete Streets policy.
