Latest Washington Street Pilot Updates - Wednesday, August 20th

[Julia Anne Malakie]

Here is the latest update. Note that the city is still making tweaks to pavement markings based on people's feedback.

Regards

Julia Malakie

Ward 3 Councilor

---

From: City of Newton <washingt...@newtonma.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 5:40 PM
To: Julia Malakie <jmal...@newtonma.gov>
Subject: Washington Street Pilot Updates - Wednesday, August 20th

 

[DO NOT OPEN  links/attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. ]

Read about important updates for the Washington Street Pilot

Washington Street Pilot Updates - August 20th Welcome to another Washington Street Pilot project newsletter update! Exciting things are happening as we hit the home stretch of project installation, nearing completion soon. And again, thank you to everyone who has provided valuable feedback on their experiences along the Washington Street corridor. Your feedback has informed the project team on making necessary adjustments to continuously improve the corridor. Given that, please continue to read below for information about what's been happening and future adjustments with their impacts. Phase 3 Work Plan - What's Been Completed Bus Platforms: Crews were out last week installing new, accessible, raised bus platforms located on the south side at Armory St, Eddy St, and Lowell Ave. These bus platforms allow for easier and accessible bus boarding and deboarding Reflective posts are installed on the platforms for driver visibility Temporary bus signs have been placed at these bus platforms Pedestrian Refuge Islands: Islands have been installed where crosswalks will go These allow for pedestrians to cross one lane of traffic at a time, giving them a safe space to wait for traffic to stop before continuing their crossing. this helps unlock safer access to the south side that previously would require crossing 4 lanes of high speed traffic at one go. Map of new bus stop configurations. Click here to view the map on the website. Phase 3 Work Plan - Adjustments Minor Pavement Marking Adjustments Crews will be out adjusting some of the pavement markings on Thursday of this week and early next week. Your feedback has greatly informed the project to enhance and make minor tweaks Although scheduled for tomorrow, and early next week, work is highly weather dependent and things may change When crews are actively working, there will be a localized parking restriction so work can be completed in a safe manner. The most up-to-date parking restrictions will be posted along Washington Street where work is happening Phase 3 Work Plan - What's Still to Come Painting crosswalks at Armory Street, Cross Street, Eddy Street, Brookside Avenue, and Walker Street - connects people to the south side parking, shared use path, and accessible bus stops.  Vertical flexposts - to better separate the shared use path from the travel lanes for drivers and pedestrians. Some have been installed, others are still in progress More signage installation - to notify drivers and pedestrians of the road conditions and bus stop locations Parking Parallel Parking Operations Parallel parking along the corridor follows typical on-street parking designs seen elsewhere in the City. Drivers are expected to signal, maneuver into the space, and other vehicles will wait or pass when it's safe to do so. Drivers should wait for a safe gap before opening car doors. Prior to the pilot, parallel parking was available on both sides of the road adjacent to faster moving traffic. Parking Management During Pavement Marking Adjustments Localized restrictions will continue on Monday, August 25th and Tuesday, August 26th for crews to complete their pavement marking adjustments. Check along Washington Street for the most up-to-date location by location restrictions. A parking map along the Washington St. Pilot Corridor including nearby MBTA and Municipal Parking Lots. How Can I Find More Information? For continued updates and detailed information, please visit: http://www.newtonma.gov/washingtonstreet. To see past newsletters with valuable information, scroll down to “construction updates” and click the date listed with information as the project has progressed. Additionally, under the construction timeline, find an FAQ document with more information. If you are receiving this email, you have indicated interest in receiving Washington Street Pilot related updates. If you would like to unsubscribe, you can do so any time by clicking the unsubscribe button at the bottom of this email.

City of Newton | 1000 Commonwealth Avenue | Newton, MA 02459 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice

When responding, please be aware that the Massachusetts Secretary of State has determined that most email is public record and therefore cannot be kept confidential.

[Greer Swiston]

Thank you to Councilors Malakie and Wright for the updates and notifications about the Washington St update.

It is definitely going to take a lot of getting used to ... The turn out from Eddy St onto Washington still doesn't feel comfortable, but I guess time will tell.

What I have really noticed was the increased congestion and parked cars on both sides of Watertown St ... All along much of the same stretch that this Washington St work has been going on.

Trying to pull out of Adella on either end onto Watertown Street has become more and more dangerous because the line of sight for oncoming cars have become so poor.

Is this just while work is going on on Washington Street? (As I see the parking spots aren't actually being utilized) or is this now likely our new traffic pattern?

____________________________________________
Greer Tan Swiston

談繼欣

Coldwell Banker Realty - Newton

Newton Center, MA 02459

(617) 308-6583

greer...@gmail.com
www.homeswithgreer.com

Like me on Facebook

Recommend me at LinkedIn or Zillow
Follow me at Twitter

BTW If you or someone you know is either buying or selling a home, remember that I'm never too busy for your referrals!

[Emily Honig]

Greer, we live on that part of Watertown. The issue is the parked cars, I have not noticed added through traffic on Watertown. There are several construction projects that are having their workers park along there, and many of those vehicles are big pickup trucks. They park very close to driveways and it’s hazardous to turn because you can’t see in either direction. The biggest source is Dunstan East — their workers used to park on the construction site but now there is no space for that. I was told by inspectional services that they will eventually be parking in the new building’s underground garage, but not yet. 

Anyway, I don’t think this issue has anything to do with the Washington St pilot (and for what it’s worth, I think it’s much easier to take a left from Eddy/Cross/Parsons/Trader Joe’s onto Washington than it used to be, especially as they add the finishing touches). 

Best,

Emily

--
If you'd like to be added to this discussion group, visit this group at the link below, or simply send email to gswi...@alum.mit.edu with your name and affiliation with West Newton.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "West Newton Community" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to westnewtonneighbo...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAONHM%3D8K%3Dq0agHTEjSOatAtbQC9E_O-aaCoiRQot2evBzASvFw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Pam RCN]

Hi Greer,

The extra cars are probably from the construction going on at Dunstan East/Garden Homes. We’re working with the project manager to get the cars on site by utilizing the parking garage in buildings 1 and 2.  I believe this has never happened in Newton before - getting approval to use a garage before the project is nearly finished. 

Us ward 3 councilors sent a letter to the fire dept for the hearing request and here’s a snippit. 

“… Our understanding is that turning on and certifying the garage fire alarm system now, instead of waiting until closer to occupancy, is what would allow parking in the garage during working hours. Mr. Shea has indicated that there would be no parking in the garage after working hours, and that Garden Homes plans to have a security guard physically onsite 6pm-6am, and 24 hours on Sunday.

If Garden Homes' plan meets fire safety requirements, we hope the request can be approved, as it would help with the parking situation on both Watertown and Washington Streets.”

I haven’t heard back yet on the outcome of that meeting. I truly hope it will happen since more workers will be added as they finish the interiors. And the Armory project next door is ramping up causing more parking issues. 

We meet with the project manager monthly and contractor parking comes up often.  When specific issues occur, I do send the project manager an email.

Thanks for your patience,

Pam

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 22, 2025, at 5:32 AM, Greer Swiston <greer...@gmail.com> wrote:



--

[Jane Rosenof]

We live a few blocks from Watertown Street and I agree with Greer that with all of the parked cars it is very difficult to safely turn from Adella onto Watertown.  I think there is also a lot more traffic on Watertown Street.   I am not sure if that is from the changes to West Newton or the Wash St pilot or just generally more traffic flowing through Newton. 

Jane

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 22, 2025, at 9:01 AM, Emily Honig <emily...@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CANeM5bXeXj%3DfS8oza8meeRPpHjuNPoh%3DaYs1DUsQX0q7Fv4pZw%40mail.gmail.com.