Town of Bridgewater – Pathways to Progress: Central Square Traffic & Pedestrian Improvements

Bridgewater, MA’s Vision to Reality is focused on the implementation policies contained in Bridgewater’s Comprehensive Master Plan adopted in May 2022, such as Policy 8.3.4. Improve downtown access for all modes, including supporting the reconfiguration of Central Square and parking management.

Building upon past plans and studies, the Town is moving forward with preliminary engineering and design plans for both traffic and pedestrian improvements.  The Town has assembled a skilled team of traffic engineers, urban planners and landscape architects led by Nitsch Engineering.  In addition to Nitsch, the team includes Utile with their focus on Urban Planning & Community Engagement, Copley Wolff as landscape architects, and Speck Dempsey, whose principal Jeff Speck is internationally recognized as an expert on walkable downtowns.

While we are excited to have this incredible team of experts, we also need the public’s input and feedback to some initial concept design considerations.  The physical environment of the entire Central Square area presents numerous engineering challenges, however, continuing to study and not implement is no longer an option.

We hope you will join us on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 for a public workshop to get your input and hear your thoughts and concerns.  The workshop will also be an opportunity to hear from Jeff Speck and gain an understanding of where he sees opportunities for improvement while he shares examples of communities, similar to Bridgewater, that have made transformative changes improving their downtowns and once again making them destinations.