The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Washington Street sidewalk extension to make Wellesley-Natick connection near Elm Bank

by

Work is underway on Washington Street (Rte. 16) to install a sidewalk between Natick and Wellesley on the westbound side where there is currently an uneven and often overgrown dirt path alongside the Hunnewell Estates and across from the entrance to Elm Bank Reservation.

Washington Street sidewalk extension
Cones along Washington Street marking part of the planned work area (Photo courtesy of KD)

 

Work across the 2,900-plus foot span is expected to extend through late fall, with crews working 8am-4pm on weekdays. Traffic will be reduced to one lane at times, as excavation and other work is conducted.

The Wellesley Board of Public Works approved a contract for roughly $450K in May (see Wellesley Media recording a bit after the 2-hour mark) after the bid went out earlier this year.

The project will include bituminous concrete sidewalks, curbing and ADA wheelchair ramps, plus a pedestrian crossing beacon on Washington Street at Cheney Drive (the Elm Bank entrance, and a scenic road).

The project was identified through the town’s Complete Streets effort, designed “to provide safety and accessibility for all users of our roadways, trails and transit systems.” Wellesley’s DPW earlier had added a sidewalk between Schaller Street and Elm Bank on the opposite side of Washington Street from the current project.

See the Wellesley Department of Public Works website for project updates. For questions, contact the DPW Engineering Division at 781-235-7600, ext. 3315.

Please support Swellesley, your local news source, by advertising or contributing

Advertisements

Linden Square, Wellesley
Wellesley Hills Junior Womens Club, Marketplace
Wellesley Rotary, Dinner on Us 2024

Pond Road makeover continues on Wellesley/Natick line

by

Pond Road almost got a big makeover in the form of a senior living facility at the top of it, but in the aftermath of that plan being dashed, the road has been in major makeover mode.

Over the summer, Wellesley’s Department of Works erased the potholes and smoothed over the road with fresh pavement. The only downside is that some driving up and down the hilly strip are feeling free to go faster. With traffic seeming to worsen daily on Routes 16 and 135, Pond Road has become more of a cut-through to try to avoid backups.

Pond Road smooth
Smooth sailing on Pond Road

 

Topping off the makeover are replacement signs emphasizing the narrowness of the road and the fact that it’s a designated scenic road. The road could probably be made a little more scenic with some sign editing (not sure the “No Parking Any Time” sign is really needed given that the sign above it already states the same message).

Reader KD, who shared photos of the signs, said “It may be a contest between Pond and Cheney as to which scenic road can have the most, but the signs would indicate a Narrow win for Pond.” (Cheney Drive connects Rte. 16 to Elm Bank Reservation.)

 

Pond Road, narrow, scenic, mature tree
Former Pond Road signage

 

scenic road sign pond road
New signs at the top of Pond Road

 

Scenic Road sign pond road
New signs at the bottom of Pond Road

 

Pond Road, narrow, scenic, mature tree
Former signs near bottom of Pond Road

 

It supposedly could still cost you $15,000 to litter on Pond Road, per existing signs. Let’s hope the old scenic road and “narrow” signs were disposed of properly.

pond road littering signs wellesley

YES, I’d love to contribute to support Swellesley’s local journalism venture

Advertisements

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley
The Cashmere Sale, Wellesley

Wellesley Catch Connect now running later at night

by

Wellesley Catch Connect, the $2-per-trip ride share service, has extended its service until 8:45pm on weeknights.

CatchConnectVehicle
CatchConnect (MWRTA image)

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority’s Catch Connect now runs from 6:45am-8:45pm; it had been running until 6:45pm (the website still was showing 6:45pm when we looked today). We spotted Catch Connect in action at Babson College one morning earlier this week.

Service can be requested via the MWRTA Catch App or by calling 508-283-5083. Service is first-come, first-served.

Catch Connect can pick you up anywhere in Wellesley and drop you off anywhere in town, plus out-of-town locations such as Newton-Wellesley Hospital and the Woodland and Waban MBTA stations.

 SIGN ME UP for Swellesley’s free weekday email newsletter

 

Advertisements

YMCA, Swellesley ad
Wellesley Symphony Orchestra
Wellesley Hills, pumpkin patch

Wellesley Transportation Committee updates

The Wellesley Traffic Committee makes safety recommendations for traffic pain points in town using data and established standards for traffic engineering decisions.

The Committee over the past year has conducted a review of the  Grove St. and Benvenue St. intersection. That area drew increased attention due to a cluster of four crashes in January 2024.

Crash at Benvenue & Grove
Crash at intersection of Grove and Benvenue.

Over the past ten years the annual crash rate at that intersection has been between zero and four, with more than half of those years having two or less.

The Committee’s recommendations, as expressed in an online letter to residents—”The near-term plan for the Town is to install two new crosswalk delineators on Grove St, one on either side of Benvenue. These delineators will be mounted into the pavement, so they cannot be easily moved. They will be placed at a distance from the intersection which should eliminate them being struck by larger landscape vehicles with trailers. Designs to account for those turn radius are being worked on now. Our assessment is that the delineators will increase awareness of the intersection, increase awareness of the crosswalks and aid with speed compliance and safety. We will continue to work with the abutters to keep vegetation trimmed back in a manner that allows for safe sightlines. The Police Department will continue to conduct regular traffic enforcement and observation of the intersection. We do not believe that any other modifications to the intersection are supported by the data and traffic engineering standards at this time.”

2024 Members of the Traffic Committee

Chair Lieutenant Scott Showstead
Executive Director, Meghan Jop
Public Works Director, Dave Cohen
Assistant Executive Director, Corey Testa
Town Engineer, Dave Hickey

Newton-Wellesley Orthopedic

MBTA accessibility in Wellesley Square gets closer thanks to $500K in funding

by

At the top of lifelong Wellesley resident William Fahey’s list of situations to be avoided is missing a day of work at his job at the Red Sox Foundation. But there have been times over the years when he just couldn’t make it in. He lives but a stone’s throw from the Wellesley Square commuter rail station, a straight shot to his Boston office. But Fahey, who has restricted mobility and uses a wheelchair to move through the world, can’t take the train into work because the station currently isn’t accessible.

Fahey manages. “I can’t drive,” he says, “but I have helpers who drive me into Boston. But I want to have the independence of getting into the city from where I live. It’s a dream come true to see this happen today.”

“This” is construction currently underway at the Wellesley Square commuter rail station to add two accessible freestanding mini-high platforms that will provide level boarding with the Worcester to Boston train cars. Scheduled to be completed January 2025, the project has been made possible by $500,000 in federal accessibility funding secured by Congresswoman Katherine Clark, and nearly 10 years of advocacy on the part of Fahey and his mom, Liz Fahey, along with Daniel O’Hanlon and his mom, Lorraine O’Hanlon.

Wellesley Square MBTA
Congresswoman Katherine Clark (center, blue blazer) was in Wellesley today with a nice, big check for MBTA accessibility improvements. State Rep. Alice Peisch (to the right of Clark, also in blue blazer), during introductory remarks said, “We’re here today to celebrate 34 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. This historic civil rights law protects the rights of people with disabilities.” Peisch then introduced the other speakers.

Clark was on hand in Wellesley today, on the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, to champion the project, along with town and state government officials, state transportation officials, and lots of media

Mini-high platforms allow for level boarding at two cars of the train. Those being installed at Wellesley Square will be connected to the low-level platforms by a ramp. Riders will position themselves on the mini-high platform before the train arrives, and the operator will then provide assistance.

MBTA mini-high platform. Pic courtesy of MBTA
MBTA mini-high platform, similar to how the mini-high in Wellesley Square will appear. The Wellesley Square platform will be 52′ in length. There will be a platform on the inbound side and one on the outbound side. Photo courtesy of the MBTA

MBTA General Manager Philip Eng said in addition to the mini-high platforms, ramps will be installed to make the platforms accessible, along with canopies, clear ADA-compliant signage that includes tactile/braille elements, emergency call boxes, message screens, and other assets “to make this station fit for everybody.”

It’s a long way from the type of assistance offered to William Fahey when he first tried to take the commuter rail nine years ago. As his mother remembers that day, “The train conductor pulled up and said ‘I don’t have a way to get him aboard.'”

It took several good samaritans to lifted Fahey’s wheelchair and help him ride. That was the last time he boarded the train at Wellesley Square. Since then, “Will and I have been advocating for change, along with the O’Hanlons and many others.”

Daniel O’Hanlon, who attended Wellesley schools, went on to graduate from Babson College, now works in Boston’s Financial District. He has also longed for the opportunity to simply board the train and go about his day. He’s now looking toward the future.

“For me, these station accessibility improvements mean increased independence and freedom. Like many disabled people, I just want the same opportunity for access as everyone else. I am grateful to all here for their dedication and efforts to finally enable all riders, regardless of their ability, to take the train from Wellesley,” he said.

Congresswoman Clark took a moment to honor those who decades ago led the fight for ADA. “Justin Dart, the father of the Americans with Disabilities Act, warned that its passage was not the end. He said ‘The ADA is not equality, and it is not employment. ADA is a promise to act.’

This project is just one more victory in that fight,” Clark said.

Wellesley Square MBTA
From left, Assistant Executive Director Corey Testa; Marianne Cooley, Wellesley College Secretary of the Board of Trustees & Assistant Vice President; Executive Director of General Gov’t Services Meghan Jop; State Representative Alice Peisch; Select Board member Lise Olney; Select Board Vice Chair Marjorie Freiman.

Others in attendance included Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, MBTA General Manager and CEO Philip Eng, Governor’s Councillor Marilyn Devaney; MassDOT representatives; and others. Laura Brelsford, Assistant General Manager, System-Wide Accessibility, MBTA, worked closely with all officials on this project.

More transportation news—MBTA to spend $54 million on battery-electric trains

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors today approved a $54 million plan to bring battery-electric train service to the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line, which will ultimately result in more frequent service and lower emissions in surrounding communities. Keolis Commuter Services, the operating partner for the MBTA Commuter Rail, submitted a proposal to the MBTA in December 2023 with a plan to introduce battery electric multiple unit trains (BEMUs) onto the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line.

From the archives (2018): What will it take for Wellesley commuter rail stations to become accessible?

Please support The Swellesley Report to ensure important news like this is shared

 

Wellesley Traffic Committee update on Grove/Benvenue intersection

by

From the Wellesley Traffic Committee:

The Wellesley Traffic Committee has made temporary modifications to the Grove Street and Benvenue Street intersection to help improve safety in this area. 

These short-term changes are the result of recent public meetings and neighborhood input and will be in place while the committee collects and reviews data for possible long-term, permanent changes. The modifications include:

  • Installing a crosswalk delineator on Grove Street just north of the Benvenue intersection. This highlights the crosswalk and provides a physical impediment on the center line to help naturally slow traffic.
  • Deploying portable speed feedback traffic trailers on both sides of Grove Street north and south of Benvenue Street. These trailers alert drivers and prompt them to slow down when exceeding the posted speed limit. The trailers also collect vehicle speed data, recording the speed of passing vehicles and whether or not they respond by slowing down. This data will be collected for at least 3 months.

The DPW Park and Tree division has also worked with residents at the southeast corner of Benvenue Street and Grove Street to further trim and prune landscaping on this property, greatly improving the sight line at the intersection. 

Tenacre School has also agreed to trim and prune landscaping on the northeast edge of Benvenue Street and Grove Street. School staff will complete this work in the coming weeks. 

Many community members and neighbors also responded to a public survey on possible long-term modifications to the intersection. The survey options and opinions are below: 

  • Installing a flashing beacon above the intersection was discarded due to a lack of support.
  • Installing permanent speed feedback signs on Grove Street or an all-way stop at the intersection both received more support than opposition. The all-way stop had the most support but also twice as much opposition. Permanent speed feedback signs had the least opposition. 

The Traffic Committee will continue to monitor the intersection going forward, working with on-call professional traffic engineers to evaluate the data and determine what, if any, additional action should be taken. 

Future updates will be posted on the Town of Wellesley website. 

Crash at Benvenue & Grove

 

SPONSORED CONTENT:

World of Wellesley, Community Read

Wellesley sustainability roundup—get behind the wheel of an EV; forum on housing and land conservation; bike safety event

by

The latest on Wellesley sustainability news:

Wellesley EV Test Drive and Showcase—May 9

Wellesley’s Municipal Light Plant, Wellesley’s Climate Action Committee, and Sustainable Wellesley are hosting the 5th annual Wellesley EV Test Drive and Showcase on Thursday, May 9, 4pm-7pm, at MassBay Community College parking lot, 50 Oakland St., Wellesley. Register here.

Rain date: Thursday, May 16, 4pm-7pm

Electrical Vehicle showcase, Wellesley
From left: Wellesley Director of Sustainability Marybeth Martello; Erry Johnson; and Laura Olton.

Housing and Land Conservation – It Doesn’t Have to be Either/Or—May 13

TOPIC: Building more community housing AND protecting more open space
FORMAT: Panel discussion
DATE: Monday, May 13
LOCATION: Wellesley Free Library and online
TIME: 7pm-8pm
ORGANIZERS: Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, presented in partnership with the Wellesley Free Library, Building a Better Wellesley, and Sustainable Wellesley.

The objective of the panel is to provide a forum for ideas as to how pro-active collaboration between community housing proponents and land conservation advocates can lead to successful outcomes.  To start the panel, three individuals—one each from a land trust, a housing interest group, and a planning perspective—will describe their experiences along the way to a successful collaborative project. Each will describe their specific project and lessons learned.

Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, panelists

After the presentation of the examples, three local responders—one each from Wellesley’s housing, land trust, and planning communities—will respond to these examples. What lessons can be applied to pro-active planning for Wellesley’s community housing and land conservation needs?

Questions from the audience are welcomed. Register here for this hybrid event.

Rules of the Ride bike safety event—June 1

Take part in the Rules of the Ride event on Saturday, June 1, 10am-11:30am, Wellesley High School parking lot. The free event is open to students in grades 5 through 8.

The goal of his fun, smart cycling event is to create a mindset that bikes should be treated as vehicles. Participants will learn important bike safety skills and confidence so they can ride safely and legally to school and throughout  Wellesley. The guided ride will take place along the Brook Path and streets.

Register in advance using the QR code. 

Supporters of Rules of the Ride

[Read more…]