CONCEPT DESIGN OPTIONS

Concept A is a modern, single-lane roundabout.

This option improves safety by significantly reducing potential points of conflict.  To make this work, drivers on Dorchester Street would be allowed to turn right only onto Dorchester Avenue.

An additional benefit of a roundabout is that drivers from most streets spend less time getting through the intersection.

Roundabout vs. rotary: what’s the difference?

They may look similar, but a modern roundabout is smaller and helps calm traffic. This makes it safer than a classic rotary.

This option also improves safety by significantly reducing potential points of conflict. To make this work south of the Square, we would make Dorchester Avenue one-way into the Square and Boston Street one-way out of the Square (the first “pair”). We would do something similar north of the Square: we would make Dorchester Street one-way into the Square and Preble Street one way out of the Square (the second “pair”). Note: Preble Street would become two-way just one block east of the Square.

This option also allows for a number of protected pedestrian crossings and shorter crossings, as well as shorter wait times for everyone.

We may be able to add a long crosswalk connecting Dunkin’ Donuts to the corner of Dorchester Street and Preble Street.

Additionally, creating two pairs of one-way streets allows more space for trees, landscaping, and outdoor dining.

Concept B2 would create a single, one-way pair of streets at Andrew Square.

This option also improves safety by reducing potential points of conflict, though not by as much as Concept B1. 

South of the Square is similar to Concept B1: we would make Dorchester Avenue one-way into the Square and Boston Street one-way out of the Square. However, north of the Square, we would keep Dorchester Street and Preble Street as two-way streets. Concept B2 also allows for a number of protected pedestrian crossings and shorter crossings, as well as shorter wait times. 

We may be able to add a long crosswalk connecting Dunkin’ Donuts to the corner of Dorchester Street and Preble Street.

Creating a single one-way pair allows for additional space for trees, landscaping, and outdoor dining, though less than in Concept B1.

Concept C would be the most similar concept to the Square today. 

This option improves safety by bumping out some curbs to enable shorter crosswalks. Compared to the other concepts, Concept C provides the least new public space for trees, landscaping, and outdoor dining.

In this concept, traffic signal changes could allow for protected pedestrian crossing times with longer wait times. There may also be an opportunity to add a long crosswalk connecting Dunkin Donuts to the corner of Dorchester St and Preble St.