Woburn committee approves $450,000 transfer to advance downtown safety project

The finance committee voted to approve a $450,000 transfer from unreserved fund balance to the downtown traffic safety improvement project, a step city officials say will fund consultant work needed to reach 25% design and strengthen the city’s bid for state and regional funding.

Mayor Concannon told the committee the city received a positive response at a recent Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) review and that the extra funding will let consultant Rich Benevento’s team complete the 25% design submittal. "One of the ways we can do that is by providing this funding source to Rich Benevento and his company to bring us to 25 percent design," the mayor said.

Consultant Rich Benevento (Ty and Bond) outlined work completed under phase 1a — topographic survey, a functional design report and initial data collection — and described the more intensive requirements of phase 1b. He said MassDOT requires an Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) for projects of this scale and that the review process involves MassDOT headquarters and the regional MPO as well as local district review. He recommended early public workshops to gather business and resident input before the formal MassDOT design hearing.

Benevento offered a target schedule showing a 25% preliminary design submittal in November, a potential design public hearing roughly a year out, and later design milestones that would make the project ready for advertisement in 2026–27. He also cautioned the council that typical design fees for projects of this type range in the industry’s normal band and that nonparticipating work — for example decorative lighting or water and sewer work — may remain a city expense.

Council members pressed on likely impacts to parking, loading, and the memorial on the common and asked for regular updates on milestones. City staff said they will post project materials on the city web page, maintain a schedule, and establish an email contact for questions.

The committee approved the $450,000 transfer by voice vote; the committee recorded an affirmative voice vote and the motion carried. The funding will be used to advance design and community outreach activities needed for the MassDOT/MPO review process.