This Project aims to improve pedestrian safety along the Elm Street/Rustcraft Road corridor. This corridor is an Urban Minor Arterials and was highlighted in the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) Sustainable Metro Boston Report, dated April 2013, with recommendations for sidewalks on Elm Street/Rustcraft Road.
The Rustcraft Road/Elm Street Corridor services an area of the Town that has experienced significant development over the past decade. Notable developments include Legacy Place, Jefferson at Dedham Station Apartments, Station 250 Apartments, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, Red Cross Distribution Center, and various office buildings. Also, noted is the MBTA Dedham Corp. Center Commuter Rail Station located off Rustcraft Road, as well as Fairbanks Park located at the northerly limit of the project. These developments, the Park and the MBTA Station have resulted in an increase in pedestrian and bicycle activity. The corridor currently has no sidewalks or marked bicycle accommodations in the project area. The proposed sidewalks sought by this project would provide connectivity to existing sidewalks located at the limits of the project. Bicycle pavement markings would improve safety for recreational and commuting bicyclists. The project would also involve providing a pull off area for a “Kiss and Ride” at the MBTA Station for improved safety.
The Town participated in a preconstruction meeting for MassDOT’s Elm Street/Rustcraft Road Sidewalk Improvements Project. As an approved TIP project, the Town was responsible for hiring a consultant to complete the design to MassDOT standards and then MassDOT is responsible for the oversight and funding for the construction portion of the project. MassDOT put the project out for bid this past winter and the project was awarded to RM Pacella, Inc. from Plainville, MA as the contractor.
The project was presented to the Dedham Select Board at the televised meeting on January 6, 2014, broadcast by Dedham TV. The Dedham Times printed a story of this presentation to the Select Board in the January 10, 2014 issue.
