City Council Transportation Sub Committee

Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4007 www.LowellMA.gov Lowell City Council Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Transportation SC Minutes Date: April 9, 2019 Time: 5:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA PRESENT: Present on Roll Call were C. Elliott, C. Cirillo and C. Conway. Also present were Natasha Vance (Transportation Engineer), C. Nuon, Carrie Lavallee (MassDOT), Joseph Sasso (CDR Maquire), Gregory Blake (CDR Maquire), Matthew Amorello (CDR Maquire), C. Milinazzo, Christine Clancy (City Engineer), Diane Tradd (DPD) and C. Mercier MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: C. Elliott called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber noting those in attendance. ORDER OF BUSINESS: Ms. Vance provided updates regarding various construction projects in the City: Lawrence Street Bridge; Central Street Bridge; Market Street Bridge; and Pawtucket Street Bridge. C. Elliott questioned progress at Lord Overpass project and Route 38 project as well as the Tiger Grant Bridge projects. C. Elliott noted that there will be traffic issues with each project. C. Mercier questioned the reasoning for redesign of Lord Overpass. Ms. Vance outlined various reasons for the project. Ms. Clancy commented on the amount of bridges in the City along with ownership of them. C. Mercier commented on effectiveness of current redesign of Thorndike Street. C. Conway noted the number of bridges in the City and commented on the ownership and maintenance of them. Ms. Clancy commented on the development of maintenance plan and noted that MassDOT inspects the bridges. C. Cirillo noted the availability of grant money for the bridges. C. Elliott questioned the use of Chapter 90 money for bridges. Ms. Clancy outlined use of Chapter 90 money. Ms. Lavallee started presentation entitled “Intersection Improvements to Gorham Street at the Lowell Connector.” Ms. Lavallee commented on design firm; stage of project; and area of project. Mr. Blake continued the presentation noting design options with input from public; City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 2) project area; reasons for project; goals of the project; time line of project; and the pros and cons of the two construction options (Roundabout and Tee Intersection). C. Cirillo questioned implementation of Complete Streets Program as it concerns bicycle safety. C. Mercier questioned installation of guard rails. C. Elliott noted that the roundabout design was preferred. Ms. Lavallee noted there would be community input as to what option and commented on roundabout preference. Ms. Vance noted the public participation meeting. C. Cirillo noted some hardships but there will be benefits at the end. Ms. Vance commented on the application of the Complete Streets Program. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 6:25 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov