Complete Streets

Update: The draft Prioritization plan, along with the slide show presented to the Committee on March 6, 2018, is just below.

Please keep in mind that this is a draft plan and is being carefully reviewed. The projects on the plan are in no prioritized order. If you have comments, concerns, or want to advocate for certain projects, please contact Sheila Page at 508-532-7927 or spage@ashlandmass.com, or Josh Chase at 508-532-7930 or jchase@ashlandmass.com. We will be submitting the list by the end of March. The resulting list is fluid in that the Town can apply for certain projects out of order.

Slide Show - March 6, 2018

Draft Prioritization Plan - March 6, 2018

Complete Streets are designed to integrate the needs of all users – pedestrians, cars, trucks, freight, cyclists, transit riders, people with disabilities, and abutting businesses and residents - with a priority on safety and usability, within the context and constraints of the roadway. Types of projects include but are not limited to: bike lanes, safer street crossings, signage, traffic calming measures, ADA accessible curb ramps, speed feedback signs, and sidewalks.

The Town of Ashland is participating in the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Complete Streets Funding Program, a three-tiered program.

Tier 1: Complete Streets Policy

A Letter of Intent to develop a Complete Streets Policy was accepted by the MassDOT in July 2017. The Board of Selectmen will be adopting a Complete Street Policy in Spring 2018.

Tier 2: Complete Streets Prioritization Plan

MassDOT awarded the Town $34,562 to develop a Tier 2 Complete Streets Prioritization Plan which is a master list of potential projects ranked based on safety, mobility, accessibility, and system continuity criteria. The plan identifies the streets, infrastructure, cost estimate, and timeline for the municipality’s desired Complete Street improvements.

The Town has engaged Green International to develop the plan. With the help of the Complete Streets Working Group they are assessing the Town’s needs. Public input in this process is vital and very much welcomed. Please participate in a wikimap survey - On this website you can pin a comment on a map. Anyone who has experienced a problem or has an idea related to street safety in Ashland is encouraged to complete a wikimap survey. The more we know the better our plan will be!

The link for the wikimap is here: http://wikimapping.com/wikimap/Ashland-Complete-Streets.html

Tier 3: Complete Streets Construction Funding

Once the Prioritization Plan is approved by MassDOT, Ashland is eligible to apply for implementation funds up to $400,000 per year for construction.

More About Complete Streets

Complete Streets are context sensitive. They have no fixed design because each right of way is different in place and purpose. A Complete Street in an urban area will look very different from a Complete Street in a rural area. What matters is that the elements of each street reflect the needs of the people who use it, regardless of age, ability, or mode of travel.

Complete Streets elements can be realized on a large sale (e.g., intersection improvements) or can be more narrowly focused (e.g., adding a single bicycle lane or crosswalk). The MassDOT Highway Division identifies the following as examples of Complete Streets infrastructure:

• ADA/AAB-accessible curb ramps
• Audible pedestrian signals
• Bicycle parking facilities
• Bus pull-out areas
• Curb extensions
• Designated bicycle lanes
• Detectable warning surfaces
• High-visibility crosswalks
• Intersection signalization
• Medians and pedestrian crossing islands
• Pedestrian hybrid beacons
• Radar feedback ("Your Speed") signage
• Road diets
• Roundabouts
• Signal prioritization
• Shared lanes and shared-use paths
• Street lighting
• Street trees and furniture
• Traffic calming measures
• Transit-only lanes
• Transit shelters
• Sidewalks
• Speed tables and raised crosswalks
• Wayfinding signage

For more information, please visit www.masscompletestreets.com and https://smartgrowthamerica.org/