Arlington holding forum on bus priority pilot project

Arlington residents are encouraged to attend a public forum on May 16 to learn more about a bus priority pilot project taking place in the fall. Arlington’s Department of Planning and Community Development and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority are working on the pilot with the goals of reducing traffic congestion and lowering carbon emissions. The forum will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Arlington Town Hall Auditorium, 730 Mass. Ave. The pilot will test certain features of Bus Rapid Transit on MBTA bus routes along Massachusetts Avenue. The pilot aims to create a faster and more reliable commute for nearly 5,000 bus riders while improving traffic conditions overall. The pilot will operate on the eastbound side of Mass Ave from Pleasant Street to Alewife Brook Parkway (Rte. 16), Monday through Friday during the morning rush hour commute for one month beginning in the fall. Certain features will include re-timed traffic signals and transit signal priority where feasible so buses get more green-light time when needed. It will also include a dedicated lane to take bus riders out of car traffic along Mass Ave.