Prior Sidewalk Requests and Updates
Sidewalks are an essential component of all transportation networks. Northborough, like many Massachusett towns, has aging sidewalks and in some cases connectivity gaps. Reconstruction of sidewalks is very different than roadway work in that sidewalks often cannot be overlaid like a roadway can. This is due to a lack of supporting curb on the roadside (the added layer does not have anything to support it). There are other challenges where raising a sidewalk can alter front yard and driveway drainage for the abutting residents.
New sidewalk construction is warranted to close gaps and improve pedestrian circulation. Some of the challenges for new sidewalk construction include available right of way (town property), the need for new curbline drainage, utility poles, and front yard grading of the abutting properties.
The Town's general approach to sidewalk construction is to repair those sidewalks that exist before introduction of new construction, and to perform this repair work in conjunction with roadway construction as budget allows.
Date of Inquiry: 1/25/2021 |
| Question: Several areas are of concern to me, particularly the dangerous Winter Street and Howard Street merge, the lack of sidewalk on a large portion of busy Whitney Street and 135/Ellsworth Park area. With more residents (including young people) out biking and walking right now, it is more important than ever before that the town review these various traffic issues. Thank you for your attention to this matter. |
| Response: You mention a lack of sidewalks as a concern of yours, specifically along Whitney Street. Sidewalk connectivity is critical to the walkability of a community. The Town has identified gaps that serve as connectivity barriers especially in and around recreational facilities. I’m not sure what area along Whitney Street you are referring to but I can let you know that installation of new sidewalks can be difficult and costly at times. Sidewalks require curbing which in-turn requires roadway drainage and ultimately a stormwater discharge point and likely an easement. There is often inadequate right of way which again requires easements. Utilities can also pose a problem for wheelchair accessibility requiring poles to be relocated. We are certainly advocates for sidewalks but need to evaluate many factors in the decision process. The intersection of Winter Street and Howard Street is stop controlled which clearly has geometric challenges. I reviewed our traffic incident data for the past 5 years and there is nothing out of the ordinary at this location, some minor property damage reports but nothing alarming. |
| Date of Inquiry: 02/11/2021 |
Question: I am a resident of the Intervale Farm Lane 55+ community. Many of our residents mention the need for a crosswalk from our neighborhood to access the sidewalks on 135 to allow safe walking to McAfee Park. *Is there a possibility to add a sidewalk from Intervale to Longfellow and to Northgate to the grant application so that the crosswalks can be safely accessed by our residents? |
Response: This grant has a very tight timeline, funds are awarded March 26th and need to be expended by May 31st. This does not allow adequate time to design, bid, and build new sidewalks. We are applying for money to purchase equipment that DPW will install. This is the only way to get everything done in time. Just the crosswalk lights take 6-weeks for delivery. I understand your sidewalk and agree that between Intervale Farm and Longfellow is a logical addition. I will share your thoughts with the Master Plan Implementation Committee as they are looking at sidewalk connectivity and community walkability as part of their work. Please be aware that adding sidewalks is often a multi-year process. In the first year a design is developed which must include closed roadway drainage because with sidewalks comes curbing. Drainage in the front yards of the abutting homes needs to be considered also, we don’t want to introduce puddles in everyone’s yard. Then property easements are obtained through town meeting, and then the sidewalk construction can be funded. I like the idea and hope we can add this one as well as a few others around town. |
| Date of Inquiry: 02/23/2021 |
| Question: Wondering if you could repair and smooth the sidewalks on Howard St., from Winter Street to Church St. |
| Response: Thank you for contacting us with your sidewalk condition concerns. We are aware of the problems in this area specifically with tree roots raising the sidewalk and some shoulder erosion. The Town just completed a townwide sidewalk inventory and assessment. Our goal is to begin incorporating sidewalk repairs into our future paving projects. There will likely be a focus on locations that provide access for schools, seniors, and recreational facilities. |
| Date of Inquiry: 02/23/2021 |
| Question: I previously spoke with the town regarding the assabet hill neighborhood having difficulty safely crossing rt 20 to use the sidewalk and was informed a cross walk would not be an option here. I would like to inquire as to if a sidewalk could be added along rt 20 at the end of monument dr that would allow families to safely travel by foot to the downtown area? Currently we have to run across rt 20 in between traffic to get to a sidewalk.
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| Response: Thank you for submitting your question through our new form submission portal regarding Transportation and Safety Issues. Rt 20 is a State Highway and all sidewalk fall under the control of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The Town does try to work with developers building along Rt 20 but sidewalks within the State Highway can not be required by the Town and will not be approved by MassDOT unless they are contiguous to an existing sidewalk. Walkability in the downtown area was raised as a primary concern in the recent Master Plan and I am sure the Master Plan Implementation Committee will be exploring various way s to extend sidewalks into the downtown area wherever possible. |
| Date of Inquiry: 02/23/2021 |
Question: Like to potential for side walk extension in Hudson street after aqua duct extending beyond Dunia Garden Condo. With development in last five years many residents are walking and jogging from further end of Hudson street and it might dangerous with increased amount of truck traffic. This will also allow good connection between Hudson street community and downtown. |
Response: Thank you for submitting your question through our online form submission portal regarding Transportation and Safety Issues. The Town’s goal and objective is to repair the sidewalks that have compliance issues and are located in and around our schools and seniors’ facilities. The Town recently completed a town wide sidewalk assessment survey and is in the process of developing sidewalk improvements in conjunction with our roadway pavement management program. Walkability throughout town and specifically in the downtown area was raised as a primary concern in the recent Master Plan and I am sure the Master Plan Implementation Committee will be exploring various ways to extend sidewalks into the downtown area wherever possible as well as improve connectivity of our recreational facilities. |
| Date of Inquiry: 02/23/2021 |
Question: Allen Street could use a sidewalk. There is a fair amount of foot traffic, and the road is not particularly wide, with cars accelerating uphill. So, I would consider it somewhat of a dangerous situation especially when kids are riding bikes. |
Response: The Town’s goal is to address sidewalks that are located in and around our schools, recreational areas and seniors’ facilities. The Town recently completed a town wide sidewalk assessment survey and is in the process of developing sidewalk improvements in conjunction with our roadway pavement management program. With the limited resources available our objective is to first repair and bring into compliance our existing sidewalks before new sidewalks are constructed. We agree that a sidewalk connecting Hudson Street and East Main Street is appropriate, however no schedule for the construction of that sidewalk has been determined. Walkability throughout town was raised as a primary concern in the recent Master Plan and I am sure the Master Plan Implementation Committee will be exploring various ways to extend sidewalks where appropriate. |
| Date of Inquiry: 02/23/2021 |
Question: Sidewalk west of driveway at 7 East Main is too low and frequently flooded. Maybe 10 feet. I can provide photo if helpful. Needs a few inches overtop. |
Response: Thank you for contacting the town through the transportation safety reporting portal on our webpage. We observed this location and found that, in general, the sidewalk surface is in good condition with compliant surface undulation. The Town’s goal and objection is to repair the sidewalks that have compliance issues and are located in and around our schools and seniors’ facilities. The Town recently completed a town wide sidewalk assessment survey and is in the process of developing sidewalk improvements in conjunction with our roadway pavement management program. |
| Date of Inquiry: 04/06/2021 |
| Question: I have one more question. The speed limit is from 25 to 35 miles per hr depending on the area of Davis St... While walking on the last half of Davis St. heading towards Rt 20 there are no sidewalks for residents to safely navigate their own neighborhood. Residents are constantly having to stop and step onto a persons personal property to get out of the way of these vehicles. Is there a possibility that this issue could be addressed and some town officials could be advised of potential accidents if this is not reviewed. |
| Response: Sidewalk connectivity is critical to the walkability of a community. The Town has identified gaps that serve as connectivity barriers especially in and around recreational facilities. The installation of new sidewalks can be difficult and costly at times. We are certainly advocates for sidewalks but need to evaluate many factors in the decision process. Please review the prior sidewalk question and answer section of the transportation safety reporting portal on our webpage, https://www.town.northborough.ma.us/transportation-safety/pages/prior-si... as we have answered many questions regarding sidewalk construction and repair. Also please note the Town’s right of way extends beyond the paved travel way so if residents are required to walk on a grass surface instead of the paved surface that does not necessarily mean they are walking on private property. Although the width of the right of way of a street does vary on some of our older streets there is typically between 3 and 10 feet of Town owned property beyond the paved surface before a pedestrian would be walking on private property. |
| Date of Inquiry November 1, 2021 |
| Question: The new raised sidewalk ends in about 10 feet on Maple (from Bartlett) and that road could certainly use that sidewalk all the way down to meet up with where it ends at Ridge when coming from Main St. Cars fly on that road with many of the drivers coming to and from the high-school, which is not ideal for the residents walking that road or the students that do chose to walk to/from the high-school. Between Harris Ave, Rogers Ave/Johnson Ave loop, Maple Ln, and Omaha Ave) there are a good number of local residents living walking distance from Maple. I've seen drivers (most likely from the high-school) coming up Maple from Bartlett and likely peaking around 60+mph in the Rogers Ave/Harris Ave area which is the peak speed spot on that road before the corner at Ridge and then Peaslee school. I've also seen cars shoot past the School Bus that picks our kids up at Maple and Harris even when they are stopped with the RED LIGHTS on. I believe sidewalks (and ideally raised ones) through that stretch would make it clearer to the commuters that road is residential and low speed should be maintained. A good example or comparison street is Parkerville Road in Southboro which also acts as a bypass between Rt 9 and Route 30 and goes by an elementary school. That road has very little homes compared to what I've detailed above but has a sidewalk the whole way and speed bumps to control speed. I know this as my navigation apps I use in the car have me use Parkerville Road any time I'm coming home and Rt 9 is backed up. Maple is also used by many folks heading East to bypass the Main to Barlett stretch, not counting the high-school traffic. |
| Response: A new sidewalk on Maple Street connecting Bartlett Street the existing sidewalk that ends at Ridge Road is certainly a gap that warrants closure. The Town is in the early stages of becoming a Complete Street Community which will allow us to apply for State grants for transportation improvements including new sidewalk construction. As part of this process, a Prioritization Plan will be developed which will identify pedestrian connectivity gaps, as well as other multimodal transportation needs. We expect that Maple Street will rank high as a priority. It’s also important to understand the challenges with building new sidewalks. They often require the taking of private land, construction of new closed drainage systems with stormwater quality outlets, utility pole relocation, and they can adversely affect abutting properties by substantially altering drainage patterns. We again thank you for expressing your thoughts and look forward to the civic engagement process associated with development of Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. |