As you may know, MassDOT is working to widen I-95 to include four travel lanes from Route 24 to Route 9. The design work will likely be completed in fall 2012, with construction to begin in 2013 and completed in 2016. The proposed 127 million dollar project will widen 3.3 miles of I-95 including the three interchanges (Kendrick Street, Highland Street and Route 9).

The Public Safety & Transportation Committee of the Board of Aldermen will hear a report from the City’s Director of Transportation, Clint Schuckel, on Wednesday, February 8, in Room 202 of City Hall. The public is invited to ask questions about the project and its expected impacts.

The League of Women Voters, along with a number of co-sponsors, including Newton Villages, is bringing us an evening of deep insight on what works for transportation in Newton and what we can do to improve it. We owe LWVN a debt of gratitude for bringing this forum together.

It will include some of the biggest names in transportation planning and thinking in Greater Boston. If you’re wondering about what’s next for pedestrian connectivity, bike lanes, transit, and traffic management, you need to be at this forum.  It’s in the Druker Auditorium at the Newton Free Library on Tuesday, November 29th, at 7 pm.

The full flyer is here.

The Newton Corner Neighborhood Association will discuss proposed new signage at the Newton Corner Rotary (Exit 17) and West Newton Square (Exit 16) at its next meeting. This discussion follows a city engineer’s presentation on the proposed signage improvements.

The meeting’s agenda will also include discussion of potential improvements along the MBTA’s 57 bus route, which is part of its Key Routes program. Key Routes have higher frequency and longer spans of service than local routes. (More background on Key Routes.)

The neighborhood association will meet in the old Newton Corner Library, 126 Vernon Street. For more information, please contact David Koses, 617.796.1133, dkoses@newtonma.gov.

Clint Schuckel, associate City Engineer, will present proposed signage improvement plans around the Newton Corner Rotary (Exit 17) and West Newton Square (Exit 16) at 6:30pm on Wednesday, November 17, in Room 202 at City Hall.

Residents and merchants — and anyone who utilizes these rotary-style interchanges — are invited to comment. If you have questions ahead of the meeting, please contact David Koses, (617) 796-1133, dkoses@newtonma.gov.
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Two Zipcar vehicles could be based in Newton Centre’s triangle parking lot next year if aldermen agree to make space for them.

Last month, Newton’s Traffic Council voted 4-0 in favor of removing up to two metered spaces from the triangle lot for a one-year Zipcar trial. (Council member and Ward 1 Alderman-at-Large Allan Ciccone was not present.)
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A team of young planners is developing recommendations to guide the redevelopment of the Needham Street corridor.

On Thursday, October 28th, we will all have a chance to learn about their plans and help point them in the right direction.  Come join us in the Aldermanic Chambers in City Hall at 7 pm if you’re interested.

The team of MIT master’s level planning students will be led by Professor Terry Szold, who knows Newton well.  In previous years, she has developed plans for West Newton, Newton Centre, and Chestnut Hill.

helped initiate the conversation between the City and Professor Szold that led to this effort, and we strongly support this investment in planning our city.

We urge you to attend and contribute your ideas.