Streetscape ReDesign for Binney/Galileo/Broadway

The CRA and Alta Planning + Design, have finalized design documents for a streetscape redesign of Galileo Galilei Way, Binney Street (from 3rd to Fulkerson), and Broadway (from Ames to Galileo). The project connects existing bicycle and sidewalk infrastructure on Vassar and Binney and holistically incorporates a multi-modal streetscape design with amenities and landscaping. The new street plans create a unified look and feel for the area, uses progressive complete street and Vision Zero design principles, and national best practices. Design documents can be found using the link below.

• 25% Streetscape Designs

• Basis of Design

• Landscape Vision

• Other Design Documents

The project has been a collaboration between the CRA, the City of Cambridge Department of Public Works (DPW), Cambridge Traffic Parking & Transportation (TPT), and the Cambridge Community Development Department (CDD).

Elements of Design

1. Multi-Modal Infrastructure

• Creates a protected bicycle link from the Vassar/Main intersection to the Binney/3rd intersection with separated bicycle lanes and protected intersections, consistent with the Cambridge Bicycle Network Plan.

• Establishes minimum sidewalk widths to ensure comfortable pedestrian use.

• Facilitates bus travel for the MBTA and EZRide Shuttle and enhances bus waiting areas.

2. Accessibility & Safety

• Reflects the City’s commitment to Universal Design and accommodations for persons with disabilities.

• Improves pedestrian and bicycle accommodations and safety at all crossings.

• Implements a protected intersection at the crossing between Broadway and Galileo Galilei way. A protected intersection brings bicyclists to road-level grade at intersections to facilitates bicycle turns in all directions, and provides desirable separation between bicycles and pedestrians, minimizing conflicts between these modes.

3. Sustainability

• Achieves environmental goals and stormwater retention through innovative green/blue infrastructure (G/BI), which are systems designed to slow, absorb, and filter stormwater at or near its source.

• Preserves existing street trees, and recommends tolerant street tree varieties to plant.

4. Streetscape Amenities

• Improves lighting for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists particularly at intersections.

• Recommends street furnishings to create a socially and economically vibrant streetscape and unified aesthetic including: benches, bike racks, trash and recycling receptacles, landscaped planters and movable furniture.

• Encourages developers to implementation permanent public art is important to a city’s cultural, social, and economic value. It is accessible to anyone, grants a view into the past, present, and future of a city, and represents the inner culture of a community to outsiders. The reaction towards public art embeds itself into visitors and effects how they think, feel, and act. For cities, public art can be iconic landmarks that a city can be remembered by or frequently visited, or can be wayfinding / place-making elements that enhance the public realm. Public art should cause people to think, reflect, question, converse, change, play and bring joy. Art captures a spirit of the people who created it and enhances the sense of place in an area