City Releases Updated Sidewalk and Street Reconstruction Plan

In May 2023, an update was released for the City’s Five Year Plan for Sidewalk and Street Reconstruction.

This comprehensive plan is intended to help with designing streets that safely accommodate all user- pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities. The plan is developed under the direction of several priorities:

• Condition of streets and sidewalks
• Location – areas close to parks, major squares, libraries, youth centers, elderly housing, and senior centers as well as those close to bus routes or subject to heavy traffic are given priority
• High Priority Areas as defined by the Bicycle Vision Network
• Transit locations
• Funds available from both the City and from the State

The Five-Year Plan, which is reviewed on an annual basis, allows for coordinating utility companies to plan their work ahead of street and sidewalk reconstruction, significantly reducing the need for the repeated opening of a street or sidewalk. In the FY2025 (fiscal year), $17 million will be spent on the Complete Streets Program with $13 million from the City budget and $4 from the State. Of the $13 million from the City, $5 million will be allocated to further build out separated bike lanes. This is supplemented by other capital investments that have gone into project improvements in Central Square, Inman Square, The Port, and River Street.