October 2020. The Plan provides a framework for implementing new and improved bicycle and pedestrian connections in Watertown and to the region’s larger active transportation network to help people get where they want to go easily, safely, and car-free.
A quick read suggests that it recognizes that two of the most dangerous corridors for bikes and peds are Galen and Watertown Street, but they are the ones with the fewest proposals, just a suggestion that they need to work with the City of Newton to make improvements. For Galen, it feels like they’re giving up and suggesting alternate low-stress routes (which aren’t that direct)
I’d like to add this URL of the “Watertown Square Improvement Project” to the discussion:
This was from autumn 2018 (from a project that began in 2017). The project was to take a Complete Streets approach to the Square with a focus on improving safety and mobility for all users and you can see the designs and areas of concern extend well beyond Watertown Square. Quoting the project manager: “One of the objectives is to clarify lane configurations using pavement markings and additional signage. A major comment we get from motorists is the difficulty in navigating through the Square.”
Within that URL are additional maps, options, PowerPoints, and data.