Last fall, a bike lane was constructed alongside a curved section of Elliot Street near Mechanic Street, but in late November, the city removed part of the bike lane and a curb extension that was installed alongside it.

According to Jonathan Yeo, Newton’s Chief Operating Officer, the Department of Public Works “determined it needed to be changed.”

Yeo also stressed that the lanes were a part of a larger traffic calming project that is still yet to be completed. 

The project on Elliot Street is just one facet of Newton’s traffic calming program, an effort by the city to redesign intersections and roadways to improve safety for all modes of transport.

Yeo told The Beacon that at least three portions of the project are set to be completed in the spring.

Yet to be installed are two Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons or RRFB’s at crosswalks between Elliot, Linden and Weatherall streets. RRFB’s are pedestrian-activated warning signs that flash to warn oncoming drivers of foot traffic at crosswalks.

Another item is a curb ramp to be constructed at the intersection of Elliot and Weatherall streets.

Ned Codd, the city’s director of transportation, said that the addition of curb ramps are part of an effort to make the intersection more ADA-accessible.

Yeo said that the city also plans to reconstruct the end of Mechanic Street by the spring as well.

According to Codd, around 100 feet of Mechanic Street is in need of reconstruction due to “poor condition.”

The city also plans to change the configuration of the intersection. As it stands, Mechanic Street splits two ways where it intersects with Elliot Street, as it’s separated by a triangular traffic island.

Codd shared that this configuration confuses some drivers, and the city plans to remove this split to make a traditional “T” shaped intersection with one roadway opening.

As for the recently removed portion, Yeo had this to say: “The City will evaluate next steps on the small area where the installed curb was removed.  It is only one small part of a much larger traffic calming project.”

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Editor’s Note: An earlier story republished from The Heights at Boston College about the bike lane was removed from the Beacon for concerns over factual accuracy.