Lincoln residents can learn and offer ideas on how the town can best use a Complete Streets state grant at several public forums starting on October 19.
The Complete Streets program provides funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation that support projects providing safe and accessible transportation options for all travel modes—including walking, biking, transit and motor vehicles—for people of all ages and abilities. The goal is to improve the livability of communities by designing streets that contribute toward the safety, health, economic viability and quality of life in a community by improving the pedestrian and vehicular environments.
The town applied for a $50,000 grant last spring, before a series of bicycle/vehicle accidents resulted in two deaths over the summer. Wayland cyclist Eugene Thornberg was fatally struck by a vehicle on Route 126 just south of Hillside Road on June 16, and Westford cyclist Mark Himelfarb, 59, was killed in an August 17 accident on Virginia Road about 200 feet north of intersection with Old Bedford Road.
A third accident on August 19 occurred when a vehicle struck and injured a 30-year-old Somerville bicyclist whose name was not released by police. The accident happened on Route 117 near the entrance to the Mt. Misery hiking area when a vehicle allegedly crossed the white line on the right-hand side of the road and struck the bicyclist going in the same direction. Alexandros Kontsas, 48, of Lynn was charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and operating with a suspended license. He was also issued civil citations for failure to stay within marked lanes and improper passing. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the criminal complaints in Concord District Court on October 6.
The two fatal accidents are still under investigation by various agencies, and official determinations of the causes of the accidents may not be released for several months.
Residents have also voiced concern in the past few years about overall roadway safety and congestion. Late last year, selectmen approved a new stop sign configuration at Five Corners next to the library at the recommendation of the Roadway and Traffic Committee.
“There has been a tremendous increase in both cars and bicycles,” Selectman Peter Braun observed at Monday’s Board of Selectman meeting. At that meeting, resident Edward Morgan asked the board to appoint a committee on bicycle safety “to see what actions can be taken to improve safety in a cost-effective and reasonable way.”
“This is a regional issue, not just a Lincoln issue,” Selectman Renel Fredriksen said. “I would like to talk to other communities and see what their needs are and what they’re thinking.”
Planning for Complete Streets projects
Lincoln learned earlier this year that it had received the Complete Streets grant, which will pay for a study to look at existing conditions of roadways and roadside and come up with an improvement plan. The town may also apply to have construction work funded by a separate grant (the maximum available is $400,000). Residents can learn more and make suggestions at any of the following forums:
- Wednesday, Oct. 19 (7:30-9:30 p.m., Town Hall Donaldson Room) — Learn about the Complete Streets program and the type of projects that can be funded. Residents are invited to bring their ideas, participate in a panel discussion and take part in a breakout working session.
- Saturday, Nov. 12 — Brief presentation at the State of the Town meeting
- Wednesday, Dec. 7 (7:30-9:30 p.m., Town Hall Donaldson Room) — Presentation and discussion of the summary of ideas and recommended project list as a result of public forum in October
- January/February 2017 — Presentation of prioritization project list to the Board of Selectmen
The town is eligible to apply for a separate Complete Streets grant of up to $400,000 for construction of whatever project(s) it decides to pursue. The list of potential projects will probably include some that are not eligible for funding under the Complete Streets program, however.
“I think we’re going to open up some eyes in town that if there is a real desire to make progress in a way that we’re hearing anecdotally from town, it’s going to be an expensive proposition,” Town Administrator said. “We’re going to have to step up as a community and think about public funds in that process also.”