Refine: Analysis

Exploring and Testing Alternatives

With an understanding of the land use and transportation context, the next step in the analysis was to explore a wide range of future options for Franklin Street. The project team considered various combinations of intersection configurations, street cross-sections, and street alignments that best meet project goals and objectives. Options included:

  • New connections to Lancaster, Oxford, Federal, and Newbury Streets

  • Intersection configurations including signals, stop-controls, and roundabouts

  • Various pedestrian crossing treatments

  • Two-way and one-way, grade separated cycle tracks

  • Various sidewalk widths

  • Various on-street parking configurations

  • Various median and esplanade treatments

  • Various street alignments and resulting parcel configurations and land use opportunities

The June community design workshop gave us a chance to connect with hundreds of members of the community to hear ideas about these types of options from varied viewpoints. And this feedback provided solid principles to work with in terms of refining options for the street design and land use concept.

After the community design workshop, the project team began testing options for the future street design and land use concept against the project’s goals and objectives. How did various potential street cross-sections with differing vehicular lane configurations, bike facility designs, on-street parking arrangements, intersection treatments, and sidewalk widths stand up to projected transportation demand? How would they impact future development opportunities, strengthen connections between existing land uses and the street, and provide opportunities for landscaping and green infrastructure? And how do the alternatives support the advancement of City Council goals around housing creation, equity, sustainability, and advancing Vision Zero?

Over the past several months, project staff, in coordination with our project partners at MDOT, have been conducting a technical analysis of the design options for Franklin Street, testing them against the street’s goals, objectives, and operational needs. Please stay tuned for updates on upcoming public engagement opportunities.