Dorchester Street at Old Colony Avenue Intersection Reconstruction

We're currently working on the design. We'll post the draft plans here soon.

Project highlights

To increase your safety, improve accessibility, and modernize our local infrastructure, we will:

• Reconstruct sidewalks, crosswalks, and ramps. This will make walking safer and more comfortable for you. These updates will also meet accessibility guidelines.
• Modernize traffic signal equipment and update signal timing. This will help you cross more safely and will manage vehicle traffic better.
• Repave roadways, install high-visibility striping, and add new signage in the project area. These actions will bring these elements to a state of good repair.

Design details

SIDEWALKS AND ACCESSIBILITY

To improve your safety and accessibility, we will:

• Rebuild all sidewalks within the project area.
• Upgrade all crosswalks to meet ADA accessibility standards, including:
  • Direct, unobstructed crossings.
  • ADA-compliant curb ramps.
  • Push-buttons with sounds.
• Build a raised crosswalk on Mitchell Street at Old Colony Avenue.

TRAFFIC, SIGNALS, AND LIGHTING

To improve traffic safety and flow for everyone, we will:

• Install modern, energy-efficient LED traffic signals. These will include fiber optic connections for improved signal coordination, modern vehicle detection equipment, and software to manage traffic flow. 
• Modify lane configurations for safer, more efficient traffic:
  • Create new left-turn only lanes on Dorchester Street for left turns onto Old Colony Avenue.
  • Maintain two through lanes on Old Colony Avenue in both directions.
  • Prohibit left-turns from Old Colony Avenue to Dorchester Street in both directions. This improves safety and keeps traffic moving efficiently, as separate left-turn signals cause delays for everyone else. Drivers will be able to use nearby Preble Circle for left turns.
• Implement new signal timing:
  • Give people walking and biking a head start before motor vehicles going in the same direction.
  • Provide a dedicated traffic signal for left turns from Dorchester Street to avoid conflicts. This phase will not overlap with pedestrian crossings.
• Upgrade street lighting in the project area with new posts and underground wiring.

ROADWAY

To improve roadway conditions, we will:

• Repave the roadway in the project area for a smoother surface.
• Install fresh, high-visibility pavement markings.
• Update signs as needed throughout the project area.
• Add separated bike lanes on all approaches to the intersection, using concrete buffers with granite curbs.

ENVIRONMENT

To contribute to a healthy environment, we will:

• Protect existing trees during construction.
• Manage stormwater runoff by adding or upgrading drainage systems.

PARKING

To address parking, we will:

• Keep as much parking as possible while balancing needed safety improvements and required accessibility upgrades. We’ll share more details soon along with the draft design plans.