The city of Somerville, Massachusetts, is undertaking a notable transformation on Tufts Street in East Somerville, aiming to reduce traffic speed and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and local residents. Work that began in summer 2025 is expected to conclude shortly and features a range of street redesign elements intended to slow motor vehicles and create a more pedestrian-friendly environment.

Tufts Street, once a wide, gently curved road facilitating an easy flow of vehicles parallel to McGrath Highway, has been reconfigured into what city officials call a “neighborway.” This concept involves narrowing lanes, introducing sharp corners, speed humps, and “pinch points” where the road narrows to allow only one car at a time, requiring drivers to slow down or yield to oncoming traffic. A large mural covering several hundred feet on a once-blank industrial wall adds visual interest and signals a shift from a purely utilitarian roadway to a community-oriented space.

Brad Rawson, Somerville’s director of transportation and infrastructure, explained that the intent is to move away from road designs that prioritize fast, uninterrupted vehicle flow toward those that encourage slower, more cautious driving. "Tight corners, narrow geometry, narrow lanes are designed to slow down traffic," Rawson said. The approach reflects a broader trend among North American cities adopting traffic-calming measures to reduce crashes and fatalities.

The redesign comes after residents voiced concerns about Tufts Street becoming a popular cut-through route, with traffic studies indicating up to 3,000 cars per day traveling at unsafe speeds. The high volume of traffic posed risks to families in the neighborhood, children attending a nearby early childhood center, and cyclists accessing the Somerville Community Path and East Somerville MBTA station. Some locals reported drivers "flying" down the street before changes were made.

While many residents have welcomed the changes, some remain skeptical about the effectiveness of the new layout. Billy Kan, a 28-year-old neighborhood resident, questioned whether the modifications will deter speeding, suggesting that drivers inclined to speed might continue to do so despite the obstacles. Another resident and driver, Michael Pauls, acknowledged the rationale behind the changes but expressed frustration with the added driving challenges.

Beyond physical alterations, the city has introduced subtle psychological cues aimed at promoting safer driving behavior. Pavement markings now include images depicting a child on a bicycle instead of standard figures, intended to remind drivers of vulnerable road users and to challenge typical stereotypes about who rides bikes. Rawson noted that the messaging emphasizes biking as an activity for everyone.

Somerville officials view the Tufts Street project as a potential model for future street redesigns, including plans to apply similar principles to larger thoroughfares such as McGrath Highway, which many residents consider unsafe. The city is preparing for a major renovation of McGrath Highway, projected for 2028, with the goal of transforming it from a high-speed commuter route into a "city street" that better serves the local community.

Mayor Jake Wilson referred to the new “pinch points” as creating a kind of “Somerville chicken”—a situation where drivers negotiate who proceeds first through narrow gaps, typically resolving peacefully. He expressed optimism about extending this more intentional approach to traffic calming throughout the city to continue improving safety for all road users.

Since adopting these initiatives, Somerville has recorded four consecutive years without a traffic fatality, a significant achievement given the city’s dense population and large number of cyclists. As traffic deaths and injuries persist in nearby cities, Somerville’s evolving street design strategy is drawing attention from urban planners and municipalities nationwide.