TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGE: Prospect St., Webster Ave., Converted to Two-Way Streets as of July 29, 2017

UPDATE: Beginning on Saturday, July 29 (weather permitting), both Prospect St. and Webster Ave. will be converted to accommodate two-way vehicle and bicycle traffic. Currently, Webster Ave. is one-way from Somerville Ave. to the intersection with Prospect St., while Prospect St. is one-way from Webster Ave./Concord St. into Union Square. The switchover is the culmination of a multi-year “Union Square Early Action” planning project, for which construction officially began in spring 2017.

Overnight on Friday, July 28, construction crews will paint new markings on both streets prior to changing traffic signals on Saturday morning. All work is expected to be complete between 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, at which time the new traffic pattern will take effect. Police details will remain in place for a period of at least one-to-two weeks as commuters adjust to the change.

Important Things to Know About the Traffic Pattern Change:

• Both Prospect St. and Webster Ave. will permanently accommodate two-way traffic, both for bicycles and for vehicles.
• A drop-off lane for St. Joseph’s Church and Prospect Hill Academy will be maintained.
  • Parking will be eliminated on this side of the street.
• Newton St. will no longer be a through street, but will be accessible for abutters only.

The Union Square Early Action project has four primary goals: to relieve vehicle congestion in Union Square, to improve safety and accessibility, perform minor water and sewer utility upgrades, and facilitate a safe, efficient traffic management plan for the upcoming larger sewer separation project scheduled for 2017-2018.

Prior to the traffic pattern change, electronic signage will be placed in several key locations in Somerville and in Cambridge, alerting motorists of the upcoming change. Once the lane markings have been installed and new traffic signals activated, cones, barricades, and police details will be in place temporarily as motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians gain experience with the new pattern.

For more information about the Union Square Early Action project, including plans, and presentations from past public meetings, visit www.somervillema.gov/usqearlyaction.