Pedestrian Safety: Highland Ave & Grove St

[Veronica Michelle]

Hi neighbors,

I frequently see cars speeding through the crosswalk where Highland Avenue intersects with Grove Street, located between Five Horses Tavern and Rockland Trust. I have been in the middle of the crosswalk when inattentive drivers failed to stop, forcing me to run to avoid being hit. Over the years I’ve lived in Davis, I’ve witnessed several near misses at this particular crosswalk.

Just this evening, my husband was nearly hit in the middle of that crosswalk by a driver making a left turn from Grove Street. They slammed on their brakes at the last moment, stopping less than a foot away from him.

Is anyone else interested in advocating for pragmatic approaches to making safer crosswalks in the square? I would rather be proactive than wait until someone is seriously injured. I am wondering if there are engineering solutions we can explore, such as raising the crosswalk.

Are there any civil engineers or urban planners in this group who can offer their perspectives?

Best,
Veronica Lane

[jlau...@comcast.net]

Yes, that intersection has always been a problem.  The existing crosswalk was installed many years ago only after Ellen Mason, a long-time resident who had complained of the danger, was actually hit crossing Highland Ave.   She had to walk with a cane following her hospitalization.  Clearly, something more is needed.  A speed hump?  A traffic light?  Lee

_________________
Josiah Lee Auspitz
17 Chapel Street 

Somerville, MA 02144 

Landline phone: 617-628-6228 fax: 617-628-9441

Phones do not receive text messages

---

From: daviss...@googlegroups.com <daviss...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Veronica Michelle <veromic...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 8:00 PM
To: daviss...@googlegroups.com <daviss...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [DSNC] Pedestrian Safety: Highland Ave & Grove St

 

--
Davis Square Neighborhood Council · https://DavisSquareNC.org · https://linktr.ee/DavisSquareNC
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Davis Square Neighborhood Council" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to davissquaren...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/CAMDRGdXsmGaNmBLS0TXO96pm1g%2BuJncQBa9%2BYPgGy6DCyuVP5Q%40mail.gmail.com.

[Zachary Yaro]

Hi Veronica,

I am wondering if there are engineering solutions we can explore, such as raising the crosswalk.

Unfortunately, so far, the city's response has been a low chance of street construction on our end of Highland until the ongoing Highland utility work reaches our end (and I do understand not wanting to spend the money on a new raised crossing only to tear it up in a year).  You can sign up for project updates at SomervilleMA.gov/HighlandAve.

Is anyone else interested in advocating for pragmatic approaches to making safer crosswalks in the square?

Yes!!  In addition to the DSNC's primary function negotiating community benefits with property developers, pedestrian safety improvements were one of the top neighborhood priorities we identified early on!  Right now, the Elmway Action Group is the main committee focused on street improvements.  Officially, the group's focus is Elm St., but we have ended up discussing most pedestrian, micromobility, and transit improvements to the Davis Square commercial area—including crosswalk improvements at Grove & Highland.  That said, while the committee has been exploring less expensive quick-build traffic calming we can ask the city to implement sooner than full construction, I am unsure what options there are for that particular crosswalk.

You can join the mailing list for that specific group at groups.google.com/g/elmway-action-group.

Are there any civil engineers or urban planners in this group who can offer their perspectives?

If there are, the Elmway Action Group would love to have your help!

Best,

Zachary Yaro

[Frank Mals]

Hi Veronica, that crosswalk is really dangerous. People have one thing in mind on that stretch: making the light.  

I think a speed bump is the way to go.  

[Zachary Yaro]

Thinking about it, I think I spoke (er, wrote) too quickly when I said I couldn't think of quick-build options.

I still think one of the best ways to make drivers more cautious when turning left onto Grove from Highland would be to reverse the direction of one lane of traffic to reduce drivers exclusively looking to the right because that is where other drivers approach from.  And similarly, we already agree raising the crosswalk to function like a speed bump would get drivers turning and going straight to proceed with more caution there.  But as I said, the city will likely insist that wait until the more comprehensive Highland reconstruction.

What I hadn't considered was how much open space there is on the street there.  Adding paint & flex-post curb extensions to narrow the perceived road width on Grove and Highland down to the standard lane size near that intersection is something the city could do (relatively) cheaply, and would still encourage drivers to move with a bit more caution.

(Obligatory disclaimer this is just a rough sketch, and I am not professionally this type of engineer, so as much as I have learned a ton from people who are, there might be issues with this design that aren't occurring to me right now.)

Frank also brought up the point many drivers going straight on Highland are more focused on the traffic light than the crosswalk.  I wonder whether the city would consider installing filters on the traffic lights so they aren't visible until you are at least through the Grove St. crosswalk, and drivers can keep their attention on pedestrians, bike lane users, and parallel parkers that much longer.  That wouldn't address the Grove St. left turn issue, but I could see it helping with speeding on that bit of Highland.  Unfortunately, I don't know whether that stretch meets the conditions for those filters (obviously drivers need to be able to see a red light far enough ahead to stop safely).

Best,

Zachary Yaro

[Frank Mals]

Drivers have a lot to think about when going straight on highland through that intersection:

-Making the light

-Being in the correct lane 

-Whether someone is in the crosswalk or waiting to cross

-Having someone taking a left from Grove pull out in front of you at the same time you are switching into the left lane 

Best to slow that traffic down 

[Ron Newman]

A four-way stop would make this intersection safer to cross, and would cost very little to implement (just a few STOP signs)

[Zachary Yaro]

Ron,

I don't know whether the city would put stop signs on Highland there, but in case you were unaware, there is already a stop sign for northbound traffic on Grove at Highland.

Zachary Yaro

On Fri, 27 Feb 2026 at 17:42, 'Ron Newman' via Davis Square Neighborhood Council <daviss...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

A four-way stop would make this intersection safer to cross, and would cost very little to implement (just a few STOP signs)

--
Davis Square Neighborhood Council · https://DavisSquareNC.org · https://linktr.ee/DavisSquareNC
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Davis Square Neighborhood Council" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to davissquaren...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/CAA%3Di0Zi4tu1dZ2nVX5%3DuHZnNLra3aLC38Mq9EOkbo3WLg%2B_ofQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Jeff Byrnes]

Thinking more radically: if Elm were pedestrianized, Highland would become two-way from the Davis Sq intersection all the way to the existing two-way section.

That might provide the traffic calming & safety we’re all identifying with this existing intersection.

-- 
Jeff Byrnes
he/him

🌐 somervilleyimby.org

🟦 bsky.app/profile/somervilleyimby.org

📖 facebook.com/SomervilleYIMBY

🐘 better.boston/@SomervilleYIMBY

📷 instagram.com/SomervilleYIMBY

📱 704.516.4628

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/CANFzyvJi9dw0UCuM%2B3sRBnfrp%3D_MmshCiE44M5qimvoV2MtQeA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Alex Epstein]

I think an all-way stop, which as Zachary points out, is just adding a stop to Highland Ave, would be an effective and inexpensive safety intervention here. Based on the experience at the Summer Street and Cherry Street intersection after that became an all-way stop a few years ago instead of only a stop sign on Cherry Street, I think it would help a lot in the near term.

Alex Epstein

[Marilyn]

Arlington uses pedestrian safety flags at some crosswalks. There is a bucket with a bunch of day-glo orange flags strapped to a pole on each side of the intersection. Pedestrians can grab a flag and wave it while crossing to get the drivers attention. It seems goofy but when I have used them I do feel like the drivers made eye contact with me. I guess I can reach out to Arlington to see if they have any stats on effectiveness. I searched the internet for info and found the company below. The site includes positive stats but you know they are trying to sell a product. It's cheap though.

See Me Flags https://share.google/EFWjxVKLL0UvRM8tB

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/a59c20f8-f11b-4901-831c-dff06d49017dn%40googlegroups.com.

[Alex Epstein]

I have seen those depressing little flags in Arlington, and I respectfully refuse to support such an idea in Somerville. They are like literal white flags of surrender that demean the person trying to cross. They are the ultimate sign of the town failing to make a safe street and throwing their hands up. The first place I saw little white flags like those was years ago in the Deep South, and I didn’t imagine we would ever see something like them in Massachusetts.

No, no, please, no. If people want to carry something across Highland Avenue, at least make it bricks, like this safety advocacy group did in Vancouver, to make the point to the City.

https://visionzerovancouver.ca/2024/04/02/grab-a-brick/

Respectfully,

Alex

Sent from a mobile device, never while driving.

[Jeff Byrnes]

The Highland/Grove intersection is challenging b/c it’s unusual in construction: it’s a pair of slip lane turns, instead of a more typical 3-way intersection.

I suspect that converting it to a more typical intersection, and removing the slip lane elements, would shift driver behavior to be less cavalier. City could go further and even remove the right-turn lane entirely, and go even further & post a “no right on red” as well.

-- 

- Jeff

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/CAPxyVeA0v1Le_traBs305SM7eRQGZdtyiJrRhfeSxMsPiVVUaw%40mail.gmail.com.

[paul]

Jeff

Are you referring to the Highland and Grove or Highland and College intersection?

Sent from my Galaxy

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/DM6PR17MB29216FAC977726938AC26BE0F57EA%40DM6PR17MB2921.namprd17.prod.outlook.com.

[Jeff Byrnes]

Highland & Grove, as the subject of this thread.

Highland & College would be the square itself, which is a whole other challenge!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/69a59b5b.050a0220.81bf0.0615SMTPIN_ADDED_BROKEN%40gmr-mx.google.com.

[Marilyn]

Jeff, Are you thinking of Highland and Cutter?

[Callie Wiser]

I recently requested information about the city’s plans for the pedestrian crossing of Broadway at Wallace/Leonard and have a few notes relevant to the discussion of pedestrian safety at Highland Ave & Grove St to share regarding how to get the city to take a look at an intersection as well as more info on the use of orange flags in Arlington. 

1. Requesting safety improvements. A request can be made to the Mobility Division to inspect and/or monitor the intersection to see what changes could be made to improve pedestrian safety. 
2. More on the city’s "Intersection Improvements” here: https://www.somervillema.gov/intersectionimprovements 
3. 
   
4. Since the Highland/Grove intersection is an area that will be impacted in the near-ish future, changes here would likely fall under the city’s “quick-build” or short-term changes such as increased (or changes to) signage, visibility, flex posts, etc. Unlike the projects listed on the intersection improvement page, Highland/Grove seems like an intersection where some low investment changes could make a big difference. 
5. 
   
6. If someone has time to send an email to the Mobility Division sharing concern and requesting their assessment and plans to make pedestrian crossing safer at Highland/Grove, that will (hopefully) get the ball rolling.  
7. 
   
8. Arlington’s orange flags. I reached out to Arlington a while back to ask if they had any data on the efficacy of the orange flags as I noticed that the number of pedestrian crossings with these flags has increased in the past year or two. 
9. 
   
10. Arlington does not have data to support increased safety where the flags are used (they don’t have a budget to study this on their own), but residents report feeling safer and more visible when they are able to wave the flags, and drivers note that it makes pedestrians easier to see, particularly at night.
11. 
    
12. I’ve attached a document the Chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee sent me that lays out the genesis of the program, which coincided with Arlington eliminating the role and budget for a Traffic Supervisor in 2011. I thought of this when reading Alex’s note that flags are a surrender to lack of planning and budget for pedestrian safety!
13. 
    
14. Arlington currently has a TINY budget for pedestrian safety, and the flags are very cheap. The Committee makes their own holders and purchase their own flags rather than buying the packages available from the Safety Flags organization that Marilyn linked to.
15. 
    
16. Separately, I had asked Somerville’s Mobility/Transportation department about if they’d looked into the data on flags. In a brief conversation with Brad Rawson, he said that Somerville is committed to improving the design of intersections, crossings and streets rather than using tools like flags that do not have data to support the idea that they actually improve pedestrian safety. In written response to an email I’d sent with a number of questions about pedestrian crosswalks on Broadway between Powder House and Teele Square, a member of Somerville's Mobility Division responded, "At this time, we have not pursued using the orange flag tool that we’ve seen in Arlington. It originated in Salt Lake City where folks often have to cross 6-7 lanes of traffic. We’ve seen Arlington use this tool on Massachusetts Avenue where the cross section ranges between 4-6 lanes. We have not been able to explore the efficacy of this tool and don’t feel comfortable at this time implementing something that may not result in the intended outcomes.” 

The crosswalk at Highland/Grove is much smaller, so flags *could* be helpful, but if the city is not interested in flags, I hope that once this intersection is raised (either by DSNC or individuals) that the Mobility Division will engage and come up with a plan that they could implement quickly that would be a more lasting and data-based solution. 

Callie

 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/DM6PR17MB29216FAC977726938AC26BE0F57EA%40DM6PR17MB2921.namprd17.prod.outlook.com.

[Jeff Byrnes]

🤦🏻‍♂️ Sorry folks, thanks to all of you who pointed out I’m thinking of Highland & Cutter. Apologies for mixing up my streets!

-- 
Jeff Byrnes
he/him

🌐 somervilleyimby.org

🟦 bsky.app/profile/somervilleyimby.org

📖 facebook.com/SomervilleYIMBY

🐘 better.boston/@SomervilleYIMBY

📷 instagram.com/SomervilleYIMBY

📱 704.516.4628

On Mar 2, 2026 at 1:19 PM -0500, Zachary Yaro <zmy...@zmyaro.com>, wrote:

Jeff,

I think you might be thinking of a different intersection.  Grove & Highland has some wide lanes, but no slip lanes or traffic lights.  If you are thinking of the central Davis Square intersection (College & Day & Dover & Elm & Highland & Holland), it is already no turn on red.

Zachary Yaro

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/DM6PR17MB29216FAC977726938AC26BE0F57EA%40DM6PR17MB2921.namprd17.prod.outlook.com.