Boylston Street Better Bike (Back Bay)
We transformed this iconic Back Bay boulevard to prioritize people walking, manage curb access, and enhance safety for people on bikes.
We completed major construction work in Summer 2024. This project has delivered the following improvements:
- Enhanced pedestrian safety: we shortened crossing distances for pedestrians, and re-timed traffic signals to reduce conflicts between pedestrians and turning vehicles.
- Safer, more comfortable bicycling: we installed a separated bike lane from Massachusetts Avenue to Arlington Street, closing a major gap in the bicycle network and reducing safety risks on this high-crash corridor.
While substantial work has been completed, work remains ongoing on the following:
- Updating parking regulations: we’re working on updating and refining parking signage to simplify rules, address community feedback, and introduce new meter technology.
- Sidewalk reconstruction: we’re rebuilding sidewalks and curb ramps on Boylston Street to ensure smooth surfaces, improve accessibility, and enhance tree health and stormwater management. This work has been progressing block-by-block since 2022, with approximately half of the blocks completed. We anticipate completing all blocks by 2030.
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Still have questions? Contact:
Transportation
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1 City Hall Square
Room 721Boston, MA 02201-2026
Organizing Boylston Street for all users
- We put pedestrians first. Boylston Street is at the core of a walkable, thriving, mixed residential and commercial district with great public spaces. We will shorten crossing distances, increasing safety. Where needed, we'll use traffic signals to separate pedestrians from turning vehicles.
- Many people already bike on Boylston Street for everyday reasons like shopping, going to school, or commuting to work. They must contend with a busy street without a bike lane. As a result, several blocks of Boylston Street are high-crash corridors for people biking. We will make Boylston Street safer and more comfortable by adding separated bike lanes.
- We aim to keep vehicle traffic moving, safely. We will keep two general travel lanes on most of Boylston Street and add turning lanes where needed.
- We will introduce new curb regulations to serve businesses, reduce double parking, and manage high-volume pickup/drop-off activity.
EVERYONE IN BOSTON DESERVES SAFE STREETS
The Boylston Street project is part of a bold plan for transforming Boston's streets to better serve all street users. Over the next three years, we will expand our bike network so that 50% of residents will be a 3-minute walk from a safe and connected bike route.
Past Updates
UpdatesBoylston Street Construction Advisory
To ensure the roadway remains safe, accessible and well-functioning for all its users the City of Boston will be removing the dedicated bus lane on Boylston Street beginning on Tuesday night (3/18). . In an effort to minimize the impacts on traffic, the majority of work will occur during the overnight hours.
Please note that this work will be completed in advance of the Boston Marathon and will not impact the event.
The Construction Schedule is as follows:
Posted work hours: 7 PM - 5 AM
Tuesday Night (3/18) into Wednesday (3/19): Crews will begin milling the road and removing the top two inches of the surface/bus lane.
Wednesday Night (3/19) into Thursday (3/20): Crews will finish any milling that has not been completed on the surface/bus lane.
Friday Night (3/21) into Saturday (3/22): Crews will start and finish resurfacing the roadway.
To note: Before any striping can be placed on the new surface, the asphalt needs time to cure before thermoplastic pavement markings are applied.
Beginning as soon as March 27th: Crews will begin to lay out and stripe the revised lane markings
Early April: The Boston Transportation Department (BTD) will add new signage and a curb use plan including new parking meters.
All work is weather-permitting and additional delays are possible due to cold temperatures and/or precipitation.
We're excited to announce that construction on the Boylston Street Better Bus and Bike Lane project will start Sunday night, June 9th. Work will begin at Massachusetts Avenue and progress eastward towards Arlington Street until the project is completed.
Construction Details
- Parking restrictions will be in place to accommodate the work, when needed. Please follow all posted signage.
- Sidewalks will remain open to pedestrians.
- Boston Police details have been requested to support traffic management for the nighttime work.
Construction Schedule
- Striping, thermoplastic markings and flexpost installation will take place during overnight hours (11:00pm - 6:00am), weather permitting.
- Long line thermoplastic markings will be installed first, followed by specialized markings and colored surfaces later.
- Signal work and sign installation will take place during the day.
- We expect the entire project to be completed in about three weeks.
Curb Regulations
Curb regulations will be updated to better serve businesses, reduce double parking, and manage high-volume pickup/drop-off activity. Signage reflecting these changes will be added as striping completes.
Thank you for your patience
We appreciate your patience during construction. As with any significant street change, we anticipate an adjustment period as users adapt to the new configuration. We will deploy parking enforcement resources as needed.
We will start construction of the Boylston Street bus and bike lane project in the coming weeks. Construction crews will notify abutters with flyers and post signs prior to work starting.
Following the completion of the bus and bike lane installation, construction crews will rebuild the sidewalk on the north side of Boylston Street, between Dartmouth Street and Clarendon Street.
Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other factors. Please pay attention to posted signage. Thank you for your patience and cooperation during construction!
On Thursday, May 2, 2024, we hosted a virtual public meeting to share an update on projects in the Back Bay neighborhood. The meeting was publicized on our project websites, via email to subscribers to the Boylston Street, Berkeley Street and Connect Downtown lists, and on Streets Cabinet social media channels. Additionally, Neighborhood Services and elected leaders publicized the meeting to local stakeholders.
Projects
Design completed - Construction update
- Boylston Street Bus and Bike Lane
- Berkeley Street Better Bike Lane - Modified
- Clarendon Street Bus Lane
In Design
- Beacon Street and Arlington Street - Modified
- Dartmouth Street Better Bike Lane - New
- Dartmouth/Stuart Safety Improvements - New
We hosted a series of in-person, outdoor events to meet with neighbors and passersby.
- Tuesday, May 23, 5-7 p.m. at the intersection of Berkeley Street and Tremont Street
- Wednesday, May 24, noon - 2 pm. at the intersection of Boylston Street and Berkeley Street
- Thursday, May 25, 8-10 a.m. at the intersection of Boylston Street and Gloucester Street
- Saturday, May 27, 2-4 p.m. at the intersection of Berkeley Street and Commonwealth Avenue
In May 2023, we shared a conceptual design plan for Boylston Street from Massachusetts Avenue to Arlington Street. We updated it with new details in July 2023. The conceptual design plan is archived here. For the final design plans, please see the design section above.
In February 2023, we announced the project to residents and users of the corridor. We mailed postcards to over 2,250 households on Boylston and adjacent blocks. Later in February, we posted flyers on light poles, bikes, and cars on Boylston Street between Mass. Ave. and Arlington Street. We also sent an email to the project mailing list.
To build on her commitment to create safe streets for all modes of transportation, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) announced a 9.4 mile expansion of bike lanes providing key connections within the City’s existing bike network. To do this, Boston is expanding Bluebikes to accommodate rising demand, designing traffic-calmed streets by building speed humps and raised crosswalks, and hiring more staff to aid in the design process.
The announcement was covered by local news outlets.
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Still have questions? Contact:
Transportation
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1 City Hall Square
Room 721Boston, MA 02201-2026
