Safe Routes to School Project Moves Forward

TEC staffers, Bedford department heads and residents posed after the presentaition - Image (c) 2016 all rights reserved — MassDOT and TEC staffers, Bedford department heads and residents posed after the presentation – Image (c) JMcCT, 2016 all rights reserved

Submitted by Healthy Bedford and Bedford Youth and Family Services

Safe Routes to School plan shown during the presentation - Courtesy image (c) 2016 all rights reserved — Safe Routes to School plan shown during the presentation – Courtesy image (c) 2016 all rights reserved

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure Project Update and Design Hearing was held on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at John Glenn Middle School (JGMS) with approximately 50 residents in attendance. Presented by Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the hearing included MassDOT representatives David Shedd and Linda Walsh as well as presentations by Mike Myers from TEC, the design firm contracted by Mass DOT to design the project. Click here to view the Safe Routes to School presentation or visit the Healthy Bedford page of the Town website.

Editor’s Note: Read Terry Gleason’s Letter to the Editor about Safe Routes to School

The Town of Bedford was pleased to learn that their infrastructure application for a SRTS project on behalf of JGMS was awarded funding through MassDOT. The project proposes pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements for JGMS located at the intersection of Great Road at Mudge Way and continuing through the High School campus to Railroad Avenue. The goal of the project is to improve walking and bicycling safety and access to/from the middle school.

The proposed project includes sidewalk and bicycle lane construction along a portion of Great Road and Mudge Way and the installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection with pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. The bicycle lanes and sidewalks along Mudge Way will then transition into a reconstructed shared-use path through the Jenks Trail within the High School Campus to Railroad Avenue. The project will also include new signage and pavement markings, ADA compliant wheelchair ramps, and minor drainage modifications.

The 50 residents were supportive and engaged with the process and addressed concerns about parking on the Great Road, the Railroad Avenue connection, issues in north and west Bedford crossing Concord Road, signage and striping. To view the concept plans check out www.bedfordma.gov/department-of-public-works

For information on Massachusetts Safe Routes to School click here.

For more information on the Bedford Safe Routes to School program, contact Carla Olson at [email protected]