Watertown is making Common Street safer for pedestrians

Common Street just got safer for pedestrians.

Residents traveling down the street will notice bright orange traffic cones directing cars into a new roundabout at the Common and Orchard streets intersection. Travel further down the street, and residents will notice a new traffic signal at the Spring Street intersection.

These changes are one piece of a larger complete streets project that the Town and the Department of Public Works has undertaken to make traffic conditions in the area safer. (Complete streets are streets that are designed to enable safe use for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, commuters, etc.)

Making safety a priority

The decision to reconstruct Common Street came to the forefront in 2015. Prior to this, town administrators had discussions about the street’s sidewalks and pavement conditions, as well as various safety concerns in the area.

Town Engineer Matthew Shuman said the project was designed to address multiple issues and concerns. Common Street is a major throughway.  It is also an access point to Watertown High School and, with the many students in the area, there is heavy pedestrian traffic.

In 2015, a public works subcommittee began meeting to discuss how the town could improve the street. The major concern, Shuman said, was getting students to and from school safely, and slowing down traffic at the Common and Orchard Streets intersection.

The town settled on concept that added two noticeable features: the roundabout at the Orchard and Common Streets intersection, and the traffic signal at the Spring and Common Streets intersection. The design also included a northbound bike lane, road repaving, new curbing, and utility improvements.

Common Street is getting more than a face lift

Construction on the project started last year but, even prior to that, National Grid upgraded the gas mains. Shuman said the construction last year focused on the section from Mt. Auburn to Columbia streets.

The road in this section was ripped up and removed using a process called reclamation. Shuman said this process grinds the road in place, and provides a base for new pavement.

“It was not just a face lift. It was a real reconstruction,” he said.

The curbs and sidewalks in this section were also replaced. In the past the DPW had difficulties plowing the sidewalks, because they were so narrow. As a result, the walkways were widened for easier maintenance.

The new traffic signal at the Spring Street intersection, an access point to the high school, was also installed.

Shuman said the traffic signal channels the pedestrian traffic going to and from school, and is probably the safest way for pedestrians to cross the street versus the signal-less crosswalks that were there before.

In addition to these more obvious changes, there was also water, drainage, and electrical work in the area.

What’s happening now?

This summer construction started where the town left off last year at Columbia Street. Early on, the roundabout and a new crosswalk were installed at the Orchard Street intersection.

According to Shuman roundabouts tend to slow driving speeds down and better organized traffic. He said the changes should make traveling to Victory Field and the High School easier for people.

There are inspectors monitoring the traffic to see how everything is functioning.

“I think the sense is that the roundabout is making things safer and slowing down the speeds. It seems to not be having major traffic impacts. So far, we are pleased with it."

Now, curbs and sidewalks are being replaced. Construction this year will go up to Orchard Street.

The project’s completion is slated for next year.