Safe passage to Needham

There are many bikers in and around Newton who use the roadways to travel to Needham and points south and west. The three roads which cross the town border (and soon thereafter, Route 128) are Central Ave., Highland Ave., and Kendrick St. Highland Avenue is considered by most bicyclists far to dangerous to use safely due to the lack of bike accommodations, high speeds, heavy traffic volume, and highway ramps. Kendrick St. is very popular with bikers as a starting point for group rides and is a major commuting artery for bikers.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is currently finishing up the design phase of the Route 128 Add-a-lane project for the Needham portion. This project involves adding a fourth travel lane from Route 9 south, as well as modifying many entrance and exit ramps. As part of this project, they intend to remove and rebuild the crossings at Kendrick St, Highland Ave, and Route 9. In the case of Kendrick St, they propose to build a new interchange there with the goal of reducing traffic on Highland Ave and providing more direct access to the Needham and Wells Avenue office parks.

The current designs, in our opinion, will slightly improve safety at the Highland Ave. interchange, but grossly destroy the viability of safely crossing at Kendrick St. Despite a vocal presence at numerous MassDOT public presentations, letter writing campaigns by our elected officials, and private meetings, MassDOT has not budged in creating a safe passage along Kendrick St.

Central Ave. bridge to Needham closing for repairs in 2016 — Apr 16, 2015 2:12:44 PM

Needham/Newton Rail Right-of-Way Transportation Improvement — May 25, 2013 10:43:34 PM

Needham Bikes requests involvement of Needham officials — Nov 27, 2012 5:58:19 PM

MassDOT response to letter — Nov 27, 2012 5:47:01 PM

Letter to MassDOT: Safe Bicycle and Pedestrian Passage on Bridges and Roadways between Newton and Needham — Nov 27, 2012 5:41:36 PM

Recommendations from Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocates to MassDOT — Nov 27, 2012 5:33:01 PM