Slow Streets/Shared Streets
The City of Melrose is No Longer Accepting Applications for the Shared Streets & Slow Streets Program. The City is currently working on developing a new Traffic Calming Pilot program.
What is a “Slow Street?”
The city of Melrose received a Shared Streets and Spaces grant through MassDOT to purchase temporary road construction materials like signage, traffic cones, sawhorses, striping tape, and barriers to create “quick-build” traffic safety projects designed to encourage safer, slower driving, while still allowing for emergency and delivery vehicles, and resident/guest daytime parking.
How can I get a “Slow/Shared Streets ” project for my street?
You can apply for Slow/Shared Streets by emailing sharedstreets@cityofmelrose.org and providing your street name, contacts for one or two residents who will volunteer to coordinate the project, and any observations or ideas on what might fit your street best. The Melrose Pedestrian/Bicycle Committee (PBC) has volunteered to help interested residents through the process.
Here are some tips on what to expect:
| Stage | Timeline/Description |
| Step 1: Ideas stage | You know your street best! Think about which part of your street would benefit most from slowed vehicle traffic, and who can be a “block captain” to coordinate resident input and serve as liaisons to the city. You will need 70% of occupied homes/residences in the project area to commit to supporting the project. |
| Step 2: Initial application | Block captains should reach out to sharedstreets@cityofmelrose.org to apply. Please provide your name, address, contact info, relevant City Councilor and give us some background on the goals for your street and whether some neighbors have already expressed interest in supporting the project.
Some streets will not be feasible to be resident-only but DPW and public safety will be open to traffic calming measures that do not close the road to thru-traffic. Those situations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. |
| Step 3: Conduct outreach, gauge initial support, and complete application materials | Block captains will work with PBC to conduct outreach to neighbors and gauge initial support. Next, you will need to complete the application materials (e.g. define the project area, develop project design including map, plan, and request for materials). Need some ideas? Check out these example projects on Lynde and Linden. Members of the Ped/Bike Committee have volunteered to work with residents to design their project. |
| Step 4: Collect signatures | Talk with your neighbors! Block captains should attempt to contact all abutters within the project area. The goal is that a minimum of 70% of residences along the project area must commit to the project. This commitment can come in the form of signatures, emails, or other written commitment.
The city will provide Block Captains with sample information cards to distribute door to door. The key is to ensure that your neighborhood is welcoming of the project, and enthusiastic about attempts to improve local street safety. |
| Step 5: OPTIONAL Schedule Neighborhood Meeting and Preliminary city notice | The city will work with block captains and PBC to schedule a neighborhood meeting if requested, then will send a letter to direct abutters of the proposed project area to explain the project in detail and inform them of the upcoming neighborhood meeting.
Meetings will likely be scheduled at 7:30am or 5:30pm. |
| Step 6: Final city notice | If the 70% threshold is met and the project is approved, the city (DPW) will send out a final letter informing direct abutters that the project will be moving ahead, and will provide details about the project and an expected start date and end date. |
| Step 7: Install | Melrose DPW will drop off road safety materials with the block captain(s) and/or a designee who is able to set up the installation per the agreed design. |
| Step 8: Maintenance and Feedback | Once the materials are up, the block captain(s) should start collecting feedback and/or keeping an eye on how things are going.
Send any feedback or thoughts to sharedstreets@cityofmelrose.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long will my project stay up?
A: Projects can start as early as May 15. The specific dates of your project will be detailed in the letter from the city detailing the plans.
Q: Will this project close my street to traffic?
A: No. Your street will remain open to any traffic including residents, non-residents, emergency vehicles, and delivery services. The project design will encourage all users to travel at safe and appropriate speeds while they are traveling through your neighborhood.
Q: Are these projects permanent?
A: These projects are intended to be temporary and seasonal, rotating through different streets on an annual basis. For questions about permanent traffic calming, residents are encouraged to contact the Traffic Commission and the Engineering Clerk at 781-979-4172