Beech St at Elm St Pedestrian Safety Project

Thank you for your interest in the Beech St at Elm St Pedestrian Safety Project. City staff have provided an update on the project below.

Design Update

Based on continued feedback since the design release August 18th, we will adjust the final design.

Design Changes:

• The bike lane on Beech Street adjacent to the new plaza will become a buffered bike lane. The previous design included a separated bike lane with an adjacent loading zone.
• The buffered bike lane will be painted green.

This change supports the operation of the nearby business.  

Updated Design Feedback Report:

Stay tuned for an updated design feedback report that captures this additional phase of the project design. In addition, the design feedback report will include description of a proposal to move the plaza area to the west side of Beech Street. City staff received additional feedback suggesting this concept, but determined that it would require an irregularly shaped intersection angle of less than 90 degrees. 

Updated Roll Plan:

Stay tuned for an updated project roll plan with the new design.

Construction Update

Median removal work has begun. Work on removing the median is expected to finish this week, the week of August 31st.

Milling work will begin the week of August 31st, and paving work will begin the week of September 6th.

Photo of ongoing construction progress

Next Steps

Final installation is planned for later in September 2026. Sign up for the mailing list for the latest information.

Accessibility Information

The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information contact the Department of Transportation at cdot@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4700 (voice), or via relay at 711.