Safety Changes Coming to Somerville Community Path

SOMERVILLE, MA — The city announced that it will install new safety measures along the Community Path in response to concerns raised by more than 1,000 path users.

The improvements are scheduled to begin this fall and will address speeding, unauthorized motorized vehicles, failure to yield at street crossings, and visibility problems. The work comes after the city received more than 2,500 individual comments about safety conditions on the path.

Key improvements will include new pavement markings and quick-build curb extensions at crossings to increase visibility and encourage users to slow down. The city will also install flex posts along the centerline at selected locations to emphasize travel lanes and reduce speeds. New signs featuring universal symbols will remind cyclists, scooter riders, pedestrians, and other users to share the path while reinforcing restrictions on motor vehicles. The plans are being reviewed by the Department of Public Works, emergency services, and other city divisions to ensure the changes do not interfere with maintenance or emergency access.

A counter at Cedar Street recorded an average of about 3,300 pedestrians per day in 2024. Use of the route has increased since the Community Path Extension opened in 2023, providing an off-street connection through Somerville and into East Cambridge.

The first set of pavement markings was scheduled for the eastern side of the path’s intersection with Central Street. The markings are intended to alert approaching users to the crossing and encourage them to slow down and watch for pedestrians and vehicles. The city said the work would take place overnight and cause only brief travel disruptions. Additional markings, flex posts, and signs are planned for other locations this fall, while further improvements could follow in 2027 and 2028 depending on monitoring and evaluation results.

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