PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Bayside Engineering was responsible for roadway reconstruction design and streetscape improvements to Dartmouth Street, an historic Back Bay urban arterial roadway. Bayside’s design of Dartmouth Street between Huntington Avenue and Boylston Street changed it from a two-way roadway to a one way, increasing recreation space and improving the efficiency of traffic flow. Significant handicap and intermodal accessibility improvements were also made (i.e. public rail transit, buses, etc). Close coordination and review meetings with abutting businesses and residences were required to address local concerns. Bayside was also mindful of implementing an appropriate streetscape for this project in one of Boston’s most prestigious locations.
The project consisted of the following elements:
- Eliminate the southbound travel lanes between Huntington Avenue and Boylston Street and modify the northbound alignment.
- Update traffic signals and timings at the Huntington Avenue and Boylston Street intersections to accommodate the changed traffic patterns while improving level of service.
- Improve roadway alignment at Huntington Avenue intersection.
- Provide a granite paved recreation space in front of the Boston Public Library, in place of the existing northbound lanes, to compliment the exterior of the library.
- Integrate historic style lighting (as called for in the City of Boston’s Master Plan for Boylston Street) to compliment the new library plaza and maintain the historic atmosphere of this very heavily used public open space.