Location: 

Commonwealth Avenue from Lyons Field to the Charles River Bridge, Auburndale

Goals:

The Commonwealth Avenue Carriageway Redesign Project will redesign, reconstruct, and restore a critical compromised segment of the Commonwealth Avenue Carriageway from Lyons Field to the Charles River Bridge, in the process creating new green space and adding a continuous walking and bicycle path by rerouting vehicular traffic to the south side of the median. The project will increase the overall amount of green space, link myriad trail networks including the Charles River Path, the Riverside Greenway trail network (in development), and Weston’s planned shared use path (currently at 25% design), increase visibility and access to the historic boathouse on the Charles River, and improve transit access in the area by upgrading bus stops.

Additional information on this project, including draft plans and project updates, is also available on the Transportation Planning Project's Commonwealth Avenue Carriageway Redesign page.

Funding:

$133,002       CPA Additional Funding Requested April 2022

$390,000       CPA Funding Requested to complete Final Design in 2020

$47,900         City of Newton and Solomon Funds allocated for Concept Design

$200,000       City of Newton Funds allocated for 25% Design

$5,900,000    MassDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program funding confirmed for construction

$6,670,902    TOTAL PROJECT COST

Contacts:

Nicole Freedman, Director of Transportation Planning

City of Newton

1000 Commonwealth Avenue

Newton, MA 02459

nfreedman@newtonma.gov    617.796.1481

Barney Heath, Director

Planning and Development Department

1000 Commonwealth Avenue

Newton, MA 02459

Funding Process

June 26, 2020  - Pre-Proposal submitted for CPC Review at July 14 Meeting. The following additional materials were also submitted with the pre-proposal form:

• Preliminary Plans and supporting documentation
• Letter of Support from Ted Chapman, Project Manager for the Riverside Greenway Working Group
• Letter of Support from Herb Nolan, Lawrence & Lillian Solomon Foundation
• Additional Information on MassDOT Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) funding. This project is listed as #610674 on Page 3-21. 

August 10, 2020 - Full Proposal submitted for review by the CPC at their September 15, 2020 Meeting. The separate Attachment document includes:

• Cover Letter from Mayor Fuller
• Existing Photos of Project Location
• Plans and Maps showing the project location and proposed design
• Project Budget and Finance Information
• Construction Cost Estimate
• City Council Vote to fund 25% Design
• Sponsor Finances and Qualifications
• Letters of Support

September 14, 2020 - League of Women Voter's Letter of Support

September 15, 2020 - CPC recommends full funding of project following the public hearing and Project Presentation. The CPC Recommendation has been sent to the City Council for their review and approval.

November 2, 2020 - City Council approves the CPC's funding recommendation as submitted and issues the City Council Order for the project.

April 22,2022 - Additional Funding Proposal submitted for CPA funding to cover unexpected design expenses. Proposal will be reviewed at a Public Hearing on May 10, 2022.

May 10, 2022 - Project presented to CPC including excerpts of the April 6, 2022 project presentation to the Public Facilities and Public Safety and Transportation Committees and the April 14 Public Information Session. CPC recommends full funding of the additional funding proposal following the public hearing and presentation.

August 8, 2022 - City Council Order issued approving the additional project funding as recommended.