Columbia Road is a 2.4 mile stretch of road and main Boston street existing between Old Colony Avenue and Blue Hill Avenue, stretching from Roxbury into South Boston while crossing through Dorchester. Lined with apartment buildings, businesses, churches, libraries, health centers, and historic buildings, it is a busy corridor at any time of day. But when we take a closer look at the existing design of the road ⎼ more than 100-foot wide, 14-foot wide medians without any greenery, unprotected bike lanes ⎼ it becomes clear that the road may be creating more barriers than access points for people.

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The City has been interested in this corridor as a priority for redevelopment since 2013, but only now is starting a community engagement process to finally make changes in the corridor. After several planning studies and community engagement efforts over the last decade, residents of Columbia Road continue to face design challenges that impact their mobility to and from the corridor. Residents continue to voice a need for an improved experience walking and cycling along the corridor to make it inviting and reflective of the rich and resilient communities that live along with it.