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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-09-LBAC-min AGENDA Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee and Friends of Lexington Bikeway/Bike Lexington Meetings Thursday November 9, 2023, 7:00 pm Conducted by Remote Participation only https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87361532396?pwd=Yko0cWVTUmhKWGxvMTZwVEtoTTJDUT09 Meeting ID: 873 6153 2396 Passcode: 479174 FoLB/Bike Lexington 7:00 – 7:30 pm Attendees: Peggy Enders, Mike Tabaczynski, Susan Barrett, Mike O’Connor, Dave Armstrong, Ram Reddy, Tom Shiple, Betty Gau, Sarah Hews 1. Board Meeting Agenda, Nov 13th Agenda items for the Board Meeting: Status of MMBW map that Friends has always produced. It’s time to reprint it Plowing Donating a bike rack to Lex Farm Discuss having regular Board meetings 2. Events update – Potluck Dec 14th Light Brigade was last year. If we do it at 3:30 or 4 we would get a lot more students. Arlington will do their light brigade November 20th around 4/3:30 at the intersection Betty reported that at Tri-Town Bike Committee meeting Oct 25th both Arlington and Bedford request information on ordering safety signs for their sections of the bikeway – Peggy provided full information to both Chris – Arlington and Peter - Bedford Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee – 7:30 – 9:00 pm Committee Attendees: Dave Armstrong, Mike O’Connor, Ram Reddy, Betty Gau, Sarah Hews Other Attendees: Peggy Enders, Mike Tabaczynski, Susan Barrett, Tom Shiple, Ester Lwebuga (MWRA), Sarah Socolosky (MWRA), David Belgrade (MWRA), Pamela Lyons, Mark Sandeen, Cythnia Pfeffer 1. Approve October 19, 2023 Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 2. MWRA bikeway closure and Proposed Bike Detour Plan Ester Lwebuga, David Belknap and Sarah Socolosky from MWRA David presented a new PowerPoint presentation. We asked them several questions last month for follow up. Confirm schedule of bikeway Public Lexington town outreach contact is John Livsey – we can post signs in advance of the closing to notify commuters/bikeway users. MWRA is open to what we think is appropriate for signage. Peggy asked if Arlington, Cambridge and Bedford know about this, so folks understand early on that there will be this closure? Arlington bikeway advisory committee has not met with MWRA yet; MWRA has not reached out yet to other towns. Adding 2 feet of gravel on either side of the bikeway is possible; they can add it, recycled asphalt product -whatever we like. There are some sections that are not feasible for gravel on the side but 80% can be done Restoring to original construction of the bikeway Great Meadows access point, there is also access points to a private road in this section. Proposal is to use handrails to easily moveable to put temporary gravel path across bikeway Guard rail will be up at all times As pipe is installed what is left will be compacted soil. Does that mean anyone who wants to get into Great meadow can use the guard rails – will it be accessible to get in? Answer was yes if crossing the closed bikeway. Mass Ave existing bike lanes From 627 Mass Ave to Maple Street, we have bike lanes Temporary bike lanes are proposed. Ram asked, could we put bike lane for two-way traffic? Sarah – kids biking to school along here – this is not sufficient safe for biking The idea of temporary – let’s talk about more permanent lanes; let’s figure out some good solutions here. How to cross at Maple St on other side of Mass Ave? Crossing a Mass Ave? It was suggested to put all traffic on one side of Mass Ave so there’s no crossing over. Bow St to Maple would use the sidewalk and then the current bike lane. Peggy – there are so many businesses along there so they would have to sacrifice about 10 parking spaces or more, that’s it. The design needs to take into consideration that the bike lane on Mass Ave is not sufficient for those who do not feel comfortable to travel on the road of Mass Ave. Best way to do it is to use the sidewalk; have bikers use the sidewalk was suggested by MWRA. Ram – asked if repaving would be done in spring? MWRA explained that during the winter – there will be some permanent paving and then in the spring they will go over it for a better pavement. Sarah – let’s dig in more about removing parking off street parking to provide a safer bike lane. We need to design the detour for pedestrian traffic and disability along with bikers. Who is responsible for the detour? Answer is MWRA, NOT the Town Yes, MWRA confirmed and explained that Black and Beach is the consultant for bikeway detour. Bikeway closing April 2025 – Nov 2025 When we will see the design? MWRA has detailed drawings of the temp bike lane MWRA will go back and put together the design along with Ross and discuss options and then come back to LBAC at the Dec 7, 2023 meeting. Providing a bike detour is part of the construction bid when hiring a contractor. Betty suggested we summarize what we are expecting in the bike detour (followed up with an email summary to MWRA). Our summary: We are not here to design the detour but we are requesting the design to accommodate a safe Bike traffic on one side on Mass Ave with contra flow lanes Temporary concrete barriers to protect bike lane • One side of Mass Ave using sidewalk and the bike lane – so both directions • Safe for all ages and abilities • Easy and clear for bikers to cross on • Thoughtful for commuters and for economic development and visitors during summer, bikers on blue bikes • Good exit from bikeway onto Maple St – how to proceed Question on the parking, is there enough parking off street to accommodate parking Jim - do we have what is proposed in the Bike Ped Plan? Use what they already have for a safe bike lane – use that as guidance; see what they have that they recommend Ross - It is a draft plan – separated bike lanes or side path and involve moving the curb which is few $1m and requires a public process with neighbors, etc. Ross – Barriers on one side to create the contra flow bike lanes – at Pleasant St we could not do that; we would need to cross traffic at the Pleasant str signal When is MWRA going to the SB? Answer - They already presented to the Select Board and will not be going back; they are done going to the Select Board. 3. Center Bus Stop Design Review Center Committee met today and there is a new design in front of the restaurant Love at First Bite, 1710 Mass Ave. This new design is cheaper but there are some cons – Ram – better option than Contes because of the cross walk right near 1710. Susan Barrett asked has Ross run these plans by MBTA? – Ross only got general guidance from MBTA so Susan asked that he please double check it with MBTA. Dave – biking pass would be harder in the area where the road in merging closer to Grant St, by 1666 Mass Ave. Peggy – why not put it back to 1666 Mass Ave? All options are still on the table. Pamela Lyons from Center Committee explained the 3 options: 1. 1666 Mass Ave – preferred and was original design with trees – it was approved by Select Board and then it was moved to the location in front of Conte’s Bike Shop, 1684 Mass Ave. 2. At 1684 Mass Ave/Conte’s the trees are close together so not an accessible stop. 3. The bump out is Ross’s novel solution to move to 1710 Mass Ave in front of Love at First Bite. Now this option is preferred. Sarah asked which option does the Center Committee prefer? Center Committee preference was to move it back to 1666 Mass Ave as previously voted on; but now favorable stop is at 1710 Mass Ave, the newest option. Mark Sandeen stated that the Commission on Disability voted twice it should be in front of 1666 Mass Ave; the COD felt uncomfortable with it at 1684 Mass Ave/Conte’s Bike Shop. Commission on Disability wanted to get opinion of LBAC. Sarah - Not having a bump out is safer for bikes; but the merging area is too narrow. The LBAC discussed the option and prefers the 1710 Love at First Bite location for the bus stop; this design the best option. 4. Bikeway Intersections and Proposed Intersections presented to Select Board 11/6/23 Design Options for Intersections. * Adams Street/Hancock Street Intersection * Adams Street/East Street Intersection * Paul Revere Road/Cedar Street/Hill Street Intersection Cedar Street sideway approved for summer 2024 and Select Board (SB) and DPW want to improve the intersection here. The issue is the limited sight distance at this intersection. Ross presented the designs for 3 options. Ross likes the roundabout design option the best. But tractor trailer would go right over the middle of the roundabout. The tree in the middle of the current island will be removed no matter what option. Maybe some sort of treatment that withstands a tractor trailer can be implemented. Ross explained that a fire truck will go around it no problem. Option 2 - cedar street as a through way Another option calling Paul Rever and Hill as the through street Sarah – traffic calming is best for bikers – Revere through street allows traffic go too fast Tractor trailers would not have to go over the roundabout Crosswalks are generally set 25 ft from roundabout. Jim – prefers stopping all traffic on Hill Street and likes every car to have to stop. Jim prefers option 2. Will roundabout slow traffic enough? Stop signs slow traffic more, Dave thinks either option would be better than what is there now and prefers the roundabout. Mike – this intersection does not bother him as a biker so any traffic calming would be even more helpful. More of us are concerned about Hancock Adams intersection. Mark Sandeen is a fan of roundabout at Hancock Adams intersection. 5. Liaison Reports None provided. 6. Other Business • LBAC December 7th – remote meeting • LBAC Meeting January 11, 2024 Meeting Chats: