Public Works - Engineering/Highway Projects
STREET REHABILITATION - TOWN
In 1992, the Department of Public Works (DPW) undertook a comprehensive study of its roads and implemented a pavement management system. The system was designed to bring Town-owned streets to a sufficient level of repair such that the roads could be maintained without undertaking costly full reconstruction. From 1992 to 1997, the Town made some progress in this regard, but funding was inconsistent. Starting in 1997, the Town began allocating $1 million per year to streets, in addition to Chapter 90 funding from the State.
Based on the recommendations of the 2007/2008 Override Study Committee (OSC), the 2008 Override approved by the voters included $750,000 for streets and sidewalks, to be increased annually by 2.5%.
STREET REHABILITATION - STATE
The State provides monies under its Chapter 90 program for improvements to certain streets. About 1/3 of Brookline's streets are eligible for 100% State reimbursement. This money supplements the funding appropriated from Town funds for street rehabilitation. An annual $300 million statewide Chapter 90 program is assumed.
SIDEWALK REPAIR
The Department of Public Works developed a sidewalk management program. Some sidewalks are reconstructed as part of the street reconstruction program; those that are not are funded under this program. Based on the recommendations of the 2007/2008 Override Study Committee (OSC), the 2008 Override approved by the voters included $750,000 for streets and sidewalks, to be increased annually by 2.5%. Of the FY09 override amount, $50,000 was appropriated for sidewalks. In FY21, the appropriation is recommended at $336,000 (the original $200,000 base plus the $50,000 added in FY09 increased annually by 2.5%).
PARKING LOT REHABILITATION
Since its construction in 1965, the Centre Street parking lot has not had any substantial maintenance work done. Repairs have been more reactive and of the "band-aid" type and significant renovations in terms of curbing, pavement, and associated improvements are necessary. There is a great opportunity for the Town to identify and then integrate other needs confronting Coolidge Corner into planning for the parking lot, thereby promoting an efficient use of the publicly owned parcel. The $205,000 shown in Future Years is the estimate for the more traditional repaving and resetting of curbing.
DAVIS PATH FOOTBRIDGE
In FY2018, the CIP funded a feasibility study, including a structural evaluation, of the Davis Path Footbridge that spans the MBTA D-Branch on the Green Line adjacent to Boylston Street Playground. In April 2020, during the course of the feasibility study, the existing span was deemed structurally unsound. An emergency demolition was required to remove the span and restore safety to the site.
Both the Select Board’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2050 and Town Meeting’s December 2019 Healthy & Sustainable Transportation resolution to achieve a mode split of 75% of trips by walking, biking, electric micro-mobility, and public transit (among others) require creating new and maintaining existing pedestrian infrastructure throughout the Town. The Davis Path Footbridge provides an important connection in the Town’s pedestrian network as a safe north-south connection over the D-Branch to Emerson Garden, Brookline Village and neighborhoods west thereof, and Boylston Street. Additionally it provides a safer pedestrian connection to the Old Lincoln School that expected to be in continue use by the Brookline School Department during both the Brookline High School and Pierce School reconstruction projects. The DPW is planning for a permanent, ADA/AAB compliant replacement bridge that will meet the needs of pedestrians of all abilities.
Washington Street Rehab and Complete Streets
Funding for the project supports design, engineering, analysis, and project management services necessary to assist the Town in obtaining Federal and/or State funding for the rehabilitation of 1.3 miles of Washington Street and associated intersections from Station Street (Brookline Village) northerly up to and including its intersection with Beacon Street (Washington Square). It is anticipated that the Washington Street Rehabilitation and Complete Street Project will score well with the Boston MPO. Based upon the recent Project Review Committee approval, the estimated construction cost for the project is 26 million. The Town funding share is currently estimated at 5 million spread over several years to include preliminary design, public participation, right of way approvals, engineering bid documents, construction oversight, project management, funding assistance, implementation and Town preferred betterments.
The primary goal of this project is not only to rehabilitate a critical arterial roadway that is in poor condition, but to create a true Complete Street throughout the Washington Street corridor. Washington Street is currently constrained with a relatively narrow right-of-way with two lanes of traffic, on street parking in both directions, bicycling, public transit via the Rte. 65 Bus, and significant volumes of pedestrians. Washington Street serves as an important connection between Route 9/Boylston Street and Beacon Street which is utilized by high volumes of drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists alike and provides access to 3 commercial districts, public safety facilities, County Court House, and other Town government services including the Library and Town Hall. The roadway and the sidewalks are in poor condition and in need of replacement. The project includes improving safety and operations along the corridor for drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users. Successful completion of the project will improve safety, provide efficient traffic operations, expand sidewalk/streetscape, and place making enhancement, and employ complete streets and healthy transportation concepts.
The Washington Street project work elements required by MassDOT include a functional design report, preliminary right-of-way plans, community participation and outreach, preliminary design, state submittals and final design. Town funding over several years will support the associated engineering design services for the preparation of designs, plans, specifications and cost estimates. It will also be used for right-of-way agreements, project oversight, community engagement, and construction services. The first phase of work will include preliminary design and preparation of information and submittals to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Boston Metropolitan Organization (MPO) to include the project into the Federal and/or State Aid Funding Program.