My thinking's changed somewhat now after realizing the state will/would never seek to reduce the width of the right-of-way. I've started thinking that zoning could play the most crucial role in 'right-sizing' the new boulevard. I really hope Somerville considers a re-zoning/corridor plan while the state rebuild project is planned/built.
I think an up-zoning along the new McGrath Boulevard (ideally 4-6fl housing/mixed use) would help block surrounding residential neighborhoods from road noise better than any planned trees or any shift in lanes along the corridor (I'm not advocating for reducing plantings). It would obviously take time to infill for the noise benefits, but I don't foresee the state project making any major reductions in noise with street trees (esp at street level).
I'm frankly surprised that most of the corridor (adjacent lots) has not been up-zoned to match the scale of the road in the 60+years since it's construction. Even SomerVision 2040 didn't take it on!
(I do wonder however, without a width reduction, just what scale buildings would feel 'right' along the corridor...)
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