TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025
Dear Cambridge and Somerville Constituents —
When I first committed myself to organizing in this community, all the way back in 2011, one of the very first matters I started working on was the McGrath Highway.
In the 1950s, during that ill-fated era of auto-centric redevelopment known as "urban renewal" — the McCarthy Overpass was erected in the middle stretch of the McGrath-O'Brien Highway — walling off the densely populated East Somerville neighborhood and its immigrant and working class families from other parts of the city.
Since then, the highway has been an ugly scar in the middle of our urban landscape. It prioritizes the transportation convenience of people who are mostly driving through Somerville and Cambridge over the health and well being of those who live in its shadow.
Circa 2012, I got involved in an urgent debate, led by my friend Steven Nutter and other Somerville residents, over whether MassDOT should make repairs to the overpass or tear it down completely. Unfortunately, the state at that time decided to invest millions in propping up the crumbling overpass, which delayed the transformation of the corridor for at least another decade.
When I was elected State Representative in 2016 and took office in 2017, one of my first priorities was to engage MassDOT and all relevant stakeholders on the need to "ground McGrath" by tearing down the overpass, initiating a road diet, and creating ample new green space, protected bike lanes, and other amenities.
Today, I am very proud to report the vision of a transformed McGrath is becoming a reality!
In 2023, MassDOT implemented a major road diet on McGrath — going from 3 lanes to 2 lanes in each direction in multiple locations — while allowing some extra room for automobiles around major intersections.Â
Now, MassDOT is moving forward with the 25% design concept for the full project — the state has committed some $120 million in funding — and the project is expected to go out to bid in 2027, and the relatively short construction work is due to begin by 2028.
Last week, I attended an open house with MassDOT at Somerville High, where they unveiled a spectacular new video rendering of "McGrath Boulevard" design plans. You can see my video post on my Instagram, my Facebook, or my TikTok.
Tonight, MassDOT will host a virtual design public hearing to provide the public with another opportunity to learn more and weigh in. The virtual hearing begins at 6:30 pm and is available via:
If you can't make it tonight, don't worry. MassDOT will post videos of the presentation and they are accepting feedback via email. Visit mass.gov/mcgrath-boulevard-project for all the project information, and send your questions and feedback to[email protected]Â (and feel free to CC me).
I'm looking forward to participating in tonight's meeting and continuing to advocate for an optimal final design and timely completion of this project. Another big highlight that was announced last week — MassDOT has agreed to our request to build an elevated crosswalk at Otis Street and McGrath. I'm now following up with them to ensure this crosswalk is properly signalized for maximum pedestrian safety.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns on this or any other matter. Thanks, as always, for being an informed and engaged constituent.
Yours in service,
Mike
