Battle Green Streetscape Project

The Battle Green Streetscape Project, in some respects, is an extension of the Center Streetscape Project currently under construction. The project limits fall just beyond the following three intersections around the Battle Green: Bedford St. at Mass Avenue, Mass. Avenue at Harrington. St. and Bedford St at Hancock St and Harrington Road

Project Goals

The goals of the project include pedestrian and bicycle safety, vehicular safety, and improved connectivity and accessibility.

More About the Project

The project includes sidewalk improvements within the Battle Green, and sidewalk improvements along Mass. Avenue, Harrington Road, and Bedford Street. There also is a proposal for a roundabout at the intersection of Bedford Street / Harrington Road / Hancock Street due to the high accident rate at this location.

Additional improvements include, but are not limited to the three intersections, which will have geometry changes for:

• increased safety
• improved lighting
• shortened and safer crosswalks
• revised car and bus parking
• landscaping enhancements while maintaining the character of the area
• roadway resurfacing and pavement markings.

Addition of a Roundabout

Numerous intersection design options in the area of the Battle Green have been looked at over the years. The approved design includes a roundabout at the intersection of Bedford Street / Harrington Road / Hancock Street.

You may wonder if a roundabout is the same as a rotary. The simple answer is that it is not! In fact a roundabout is much different than a rotary. A roundabout is much smaller in diameter than a rotary, and drivers must yield to enter.

A roundabout operates at slower speeds (typically around 20MPH). The reason that they travel at slower speeds is that vehicles are 'deflected' as they enter. This deflection results in a natural slowing of vehicle speeds.

Crashes in a roundabout are less severe than a traditional intersection. This is in part due to the direction of the crashes which tend to be more angular.

Visualization aids for proposed roundabout:

• View the Preferred Conceptual Roundabout (PDF)
• Battle Green Roundabout Rendering (PDF)
• Video simulation of the proposed roundabout
• Examples of Roundabouts Locally (PDF)

Final Design

Plans of the final design PDF

Timeline

The intent is to have construction completed in advance of the 2025 celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington. To meet this deadline, Town staff requested and received construction funding at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting. The project has a scheduled bid opening of March 9th, 2023. Once the contract is awarded, construction can begin in the spring of calendar year 2023 allowing the anticipated  project completion to be ahead of the 2025 celebration.

Presentation to the Select Board

• Town staff and consultant BETA Group, Inc. presented to the Select Board in December 2021 and February 2022:
• View the Lexington Battle Green Streetscape Improvements December 6, 2021 Presentation (PDF)
• View the Lexington Battle Green Streetscape Improvements February 1, 2022 Presentation (PDF)
• Recording of the February 1, 2023 Presentation (Presentation begins at 8 minutes and 40 seconds)
• View the Lexington Battle Green Streetscape Improvements November 23, 2022 Presentation (PDF)
• Recording of the November 23, 2022 Presentation (Link to external site, Lexmedia on Demand. Presentation begins at 37 minutes 42 seconds)

Construction

Updates coming soon!

Contact

For questions, please email Engineering