Stay in Touch

• Important construction notifications will be periodically posted on this webpage below
• Be sure to sign up for our project newsletter HERE to receive project emails
• For any other inquiries, contact us at: WashingtonStreet@newtonma.gov

For Newton North students: Guide to shared use path

 Caption: Concept rendering of Washington Street looking eastbound toward Armory Street. Improvements show a curb and flexpost separated shared use path along the Mass Pike on the right, one vehicle travel lane per direction, a turning lane, parking, in lane bus stops, crosswalk, crossing island, and accessible curb ramps.

Thank you to the thousands who helped shape the Washington Street Pilot!

This City of Newton has launched the Washington Street Pilot Project bringing safety, accessibility and beautification improvements from Chestnut Street in West Newton to Lowell Avenue in Newtonville. Construction is anticipated to wrap up in the fall of 2025.

Caption: Map of the Washington Street corridor depicting the project location site from Lowell Avenue to Chestnut Street.

See the final design plans: Updated Roll Plan -2025-04-16

Originating from the 2019 Washington Vision Plan, this pilot aims to improve safety and accessibility for everyone traveling on Washington Street—whether walking, rolling, biking, riding transit, or driving.

Since 2023, the City has developed concepts and final design plans through community input, traffic analysis, and Council-approved plans. Key improvements include the following:

What's not included:

To keep costs low and allow for quick implementation, the project does not include:

• Major sidewalk or street reconstruction

• Changes to curbs or underground utilities

• Property takings

This project is intended to inform longer term improvements.

General Construction Information

Construction is nearly complete. Construction phases include the following:

Spring through Summer

• Sidewalks / plantings ✓

• Pavement improvements ✓

• Initial pavement markings ✓

Summer through Fall

• Buffer lane curbs and flexposts ✓

• Bus platforms and median islands ✓

• Final pavement markings and signs ✓

 Please read this FAQ document with more detailed information as questions arise.

Construction Updates

 Key construction updates will be posted here organized by date.

Please click the plus icon to the right to read more.

See image below for information about newly located bus stops and click HERE for a larger pdf version of the map

Coordinating with Area Projects

We are coordinating with area construction projects including: 

Please click the plus icon to the right to read more about the area construction projects.

Data Collection and Evaluation

Fall 2024 Baseline Data

Fall 2025 Post Installation Data

This pilot involves extensive data collection, evaluation and monitoring. We have collected baseline data and post installation data which includes evaluating: 

• Vehicle volumes and speeds

• Pedestrian and bicycle counts

• Vehicle intersection delay and queuing 

• Vehicle travel times

• Parking utilization

Funding:

• $500,000 HCA funds for design
• $2.2 million in ARPA funds for construction and data collection
• $50,000 in Dunstan East mitigation funds for handrails at bus stops
• $50,000 in state earmark for landscaping

• TOTAL: $2.8 million

Key Documents throughout Project

Please click on the plus icon to the right to read more information.