Brookline’s ambitious transportation policies seek to make our public ways safer, more equitable, inclusive, healthful, and sustainable. Meeting these goals while maintaining our existing transportation infrastructure is especially challenging given the Town’s fiscal constraints.

We must avail ourselves of all available Federal and state funding opportunities.

Therefore, I support the Washington Street Complete Streets project, which provides access to $29 million in Federal and state funds to rebuild Washington Street as a safer and more welcoming street. The Washington Street project conforms with the Select Board-adopted Complete Streets policy, calling for the Town to accommodate and promote safe travel for users of all ages and abilities, including those who walk, use a wheelchair, bicycle, and use public transportation. I support this balanced approach.

I also support the Town’s recently adopted Transportation and Mobility Plan, which seeks to ensure that we maintain our transportation infrastructure in the most cost-effective way over the long term.

I support the budget request from the Engineering and Transportation Division of the Department of Public Works of $6.5M per year for street repair and the additional funds to support sidewalk repair.

I will use my position on the Select Board to promote these additional measures:

• Brookline’s Green Routes Bicycle Network Plan and the draft Walkable Streets Plan to make Brookline significantly more bicycle and pedestrian friendly.
• The Vision Zero Action Plan, which advocates for strategies adopted by many communities to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.

Brookline will continue to benefit from a fiscally responsible, balanced transportation system that takes into account the needs of residents of all ages and abilities. I enthusiastically offer my skills toward further developing and implementing that balanced system.