Grand Junction Multi-use Path Virtual Open House
Open House Introduction
The Grand Junction Multi-use Path will be a new regional connection for people walking and bicycling next to the railroad tracks in the Grand Junction rail corridor from near the Boston University Bridge to the Cambridge/Somerville line. It will provide a continuous off-street path in eastern Cambridge for people who live and work nearby to stroll, jog, or bike.
Navigating the Grand Junction Virtual Open House
We’ve created this interactive StoryMap site to share how we incorporated the shared community design goals to develop a vision for the Grand Junction Multi-use Path.
Our goal is to provide you with the information you’d receive at an in person meeting, and to capture your thoughts on the proposed design for the path.
The project information is split into the following sections:
- Project Background: provides a summary of the project area, history and goals
- Key Locations: provides a summary of the path ends, intersections and other locations that are crucial to an appealing and well functioning path
- Corridor Plan: includes an interactive map of the plan for the entire Grand Junction Multi-use Path, with the ability to submit comments on the plan
- Design & Public Art: provides a summary of potential options for fencing, lighting, green space and other features of the Grand Junction Multi-use Path
- Comments/Questions: provides the opportunity to give feedback on the proposed design options
Instructions
Please take a quick read through some helpful tips or watch the video below:
- Use your mouse or keyboard to scroll down through the content or use your browser's scroll bar on the right.
- Jump quickly to different sections using the navigation bar with titles at the top of the screen.
- Follow directions to leave comments on the interactive map.
- Some comment forms are available to share your general thoughts in different sections.
- Comment forms will be available through Monday, January 4th, 2021.
Grand Junction Multi-Use Path Virtual Open House Instruction Video
We Need Your Input!
Our Goals for the Virtual Open House
- Provide you with details on each of the elements of the Grand Junction Multi-use Path plan
- Receive your feedback on the path layout, crossings, green elements as well as urban design and public art
Your Feedback
- There are opportunities for feedback throughout this StoryMap
- The StoryMap will remain live and feedback will be collected until Monday, January 4th, 2021
Additional Information
Prefer to have a print copy of the public meeting materials? Click Here to Access a PDF version of the public meeting information.
Click here to view the website for the Grand Junction Multi-Use Path project, where you can sign up for project updates and view more documents on our steering committee meetings and process.
Project Background
Project Vision
Design a multi-use path adjacent to the Grand Junction rail tracks from the Charles River and connecting to the Community Path in Somerville
The path will run from the intersection of Henry and Waverly streets in Cambridgeport up to the Somerville/Cambridge line
Create a safe way to sustainably move through the eastern half of Cambridge for people all ages and abilities
Create safe, attractive spaces for path users adjacent to the rail right-of-way that react to different neighborhoods
Design a path with sufficient space while accounting for the possibility of future transit projects
Design Status
Conceptual engineering of design complete
Urban design, public art, and lighting concepts developed
Design Status
Areas for additional parks and green space identified
Design Status
Coordination with ongoing development projects, abutters and state agency transportation projects
Design Status
MassDOT and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are important partners for implementing the path. MassDOT owns, operates and maintains the railway right-of-way adjacent to the Grand Junction path. MIT owns part of the right-of-way and many properties adjacent to much of the Grand Junction corridor. MIT will also contribute to funding the design and construction of part of the multi-use path.
Project Schedule
What We've Heard
What you hope to see overall:
- Separation from traffic
- Separation from rail with barrier/fence
- Water fountains, trash bins and quality seating of different types
- Bicycle parking and nearby Bluebikes stations
- Public art
- Trees and plantings
- Renewed and integrated open spaces
What transportation features you hope to see:
- Separated directions of travel along path
- Protected pedestrian and bicycle crossings at intersections
- Considerations for local pedestrian movements in neighborhoods
Concerns:
- Public safety on path corridor
- Bicycle and pedestrian interaction on path and at crossings
Key Takeaways
- Vision is for a Grand Junction Multi-Use Path as a corridor for commuting, exercise, safe cycling, and a connection to other modes
- Varied availability of right of way along track and varied ownership
- Multi-use path will have to cross sides of the railroad at two points and has major street intersections to cross as well
- Identified a preferred path cross-section and a limited space cross-section
- Designing for current rail use, but not precluding future two-track transit
Key Locations
The key locations for the Grand Junction Multi-use Path include both ends of the path and four places where the path will cross major streets. We've also highlighted areas where there are opportunities for pocket parks. From south to north, these locations are:
- Waverly Street at Henry Street (Path End)
- Waverly Street (Pocket Park Opportunity)
- Fort Washington Park (Pocket Park Opportunity)
- Massachusetts Avenue between Vassar Street and Albany Street (Path Crossing)
- Main Street at Vassar Street and Galileo Galilei Way (Path Crossing)
- “Little Binney” - portion of Binney Street west of Fulkerson (Path Crossing)
- Cambridge Street (Pocket Park Opportunity)
- Cambridge Street between Cardinal Medeiros Avenue and Lambert Street (Path Crossing)
- Gore Street near Warren Street (Path End)
As you scroll down, each location will be shown in the map at the top left, while a description or list of key issues will be displayed on the bottom left. Click the arrow on the right-hand side of the images to scroll through different aspects of each location: proposed plans, existing photos, signal phasing diagrams, and photo realistic renderings to give you a better sense for what it will feel like to travel on the path in the future.
Waverly Street (Path Entry)
Additional markings on Henry Street and Sidney Street will be planned to complete bicycle connections to the Boston University Bridge and Paul Dudley White Path along the Charles River.
Pocket Park Opportunity: Path Entry at Waverly
The images to the right show the size and shape of the proposed pocket park location at the Waverly Street path entrance.
Pocket Park Opportunity: Fort Washington Park
The images to the right show the size and shape of the proposed pocket park location at Fort Washington Park, as well as an existing image.
Massachusetts Avenue
The path crossing at Massachusetts Avenue will be signalized so that path users will get a walk sign to cross Massachusetts Avenue, similar to nearby intersections. The design for the separated bicycle facility on Massachusetts Avenue at the path crossing is still in process.
This area has several opportunities for improving space for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders. Examples of potential treatments are provided in this section.
Main Street
The plan includes a two-way bicycle facility on Main Street to connect the proposed path to the crossing on the western side of Vassar Street, connecting to Grand Junction Park.
The path crossing signal phase will be protected from vehicular movements.
Coordination with area development projects will be necessary.
Binney Street - "Little Binney"
The path transitions from the east side to the west side of the tracks crossing from south to north of Binney Street.
There will be a raised flush crossing and a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) to alert vehicles to a person crossing path.
Coordination with adjacent development will be necessary.
Pocket Park Opportunity: Cambridge Street
The images to the right show the size and shape of the proposed pocket park location at Cambridge Street, as well as an existing photo.
Cambridge Street
The path transitions from the west side to the east side of the tracks crossing from south to north of Cambridge Street.
The plan provides a signalized path crossing by shifting the existing pedestrian crossing.
The phasing and timing of the proposed signal at Cardinal Medeiros Avenue will be coordinated with the path crossing.
Gore Street (Path Entry)
Wayfinding signage will be installed at the path entry at Gore Street.
Connections will be made between improvements on Gore Street and the Somerville Community Path.
Corridor Plan
Tell us what you think!
Use the interactive map below to comment on what you learned in the tour above.
- Click and drag to navigate to different locations.
- Click "Submit a Comment" in the bottom right to add your feedback
- To view feedback, click a comment from the list on the right, or a pin on the map - different pins refer to different comment types (see legend at left)
- Click a purple pin to see a photo of existing conditions at that location
- To enlarge a photo, click "More Info" in the top of the right-side panel
- Click the icon with the arrow in the top right corner to enlarge the map
Design & Public Art
A “kit of parts” strategy is used to incorporate elements along the corridor that contribute to the look and feel of the trail. These include:
- Pocket park opportunities, including possible seating or furniture, trees, and low plantings, ground cover, or smaller shrubs
- Neighborhood connections
- Art incorporated into fencing
- Lighting
The application of each will depend upon the available space on each side of the multi-use path and potential future transit corridor.
Park Opportunities
With a tight space to work with in this former industrial corridor, landscape amenities will be incorporated as space allows. The design team has identified three locations along the corridor with space to include a pocket park and a handful of other locations at edges, entrances, and street crossings that could include a micro park.
Definitions
Pocket Park: A very small neighborhood park, often found in the “leftover” spaces: an empty lot between two buildings, the wedge of land between where two roads meet at an acute angle, etc.
Micro Park: A small bit of respite wherever it can fit! A place to sit along a busy street, a planting bed or cluster of trees, a feature signaling the entry point to a path, or a large rock for kids to climb on are all examples of micro park spaces.
Neighborhood Connections
Art Incorporated into Fencing
Fencing Opportunity
There are opportunities for art at street crossings/entry points to the corridor, as well as along the corridor itself. A fence provides separation between the multiuse path and the railroad tracks. While it is functional for safety, it also provides an opportunity for placemaking and public art.
Details
- A lenticular mural is proposed to incorporate art into the fencing. The fence will occur along the length of the corridor, but the length and locations of murals are still being considered
- The mural artwork and artist(s) have not yet been chosen. The images shown here illustrate what a lenticular mural would generally look like incorporated into the fence. The colors, composition, and subject matter of the mural(s) will be decided by the selected artist(s)
- The proposed fence includes a faceted solid base and angled fins extending vertically
- A viewshed analysis was completed, along neighboring streets and along the path, to understand how to maximize the viewability of public art in particular locations
- Of the nine entry points, six have a high impact according to the viewshed analysis
- A two-foot buffer is provided between the path and vertical objects (such as the fence) to make sure bike pedals and handle bars do not strike the fence
Definitions
Fin Fence: A fence made of wide panels with very thin edges in place of traditional pickets, and often with no rail along the top. Because of these thin edges, the transparency of the fence changes with the orientation of the viewer, shifting from solid to almost completely transparent depending on the fin design and angle of view.
Lenticular Mural: A mural painted on separate parallel, angled surfaces that changes depending on where the viewer is standing. The image fully comes together at a particular angle and/or distance, and then breaks apart as the viewer changes their orientation.
Lighting
Lighting Requirements
The goal is to provide consistent light along the corridor while keeping lighting focused on the path. Toward that end:
- Light fixtures will be shielded to focus light on the path
- Pedestrian scale poles will be used to limit the spread of light
- Lighting will be spaced to achieve but not exceed targeted light levels for the path
- A warm, white color light will be used with wireless dimming control
Preferred Lighting Option: Selux Saturn Lights
Pictured here on the Waverly Path, the selected fixture - Selux Saturn lighting - is dark sky compliant.
Comments/Questions
Thank you again for taking the time to navigate through our online public meeting experience. Designing the Grand Junction Multi-use Path is not complete without your input!
Stay informed! Click here to go to the project webpage to sign up to receive e-mail updates about this project.
Thank You!
Rendering of proposed Grand Junction Multi-use Path entry at Gore Street
