The Somerville Community Path is a vital link for commuters, providing access to transit for cyclists and pedestrians. Constructed as part of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Green Line Extension (GLX), the path lacked continuous lighting on some sections. The City of Somerville recognized the need to illuminate these unlit segments to enhance safety along the path after dark.

Arup was engaged by the City to provide lighting design, electrical engineering, civil engineering, and cost estimating services to address adding illumination for the unlit segments of the path. Arup’s previous involvement with the Green Line Extension was an asset for delivering a solution that integrates into the existing infrastructure.

The safety of pedestrians and cyclists after dark is critical, particularly during winter when days are shorter and sunsets happen earlier. Now, more than 2,600 feet of the path has added illumination, giving commuters more confidence and a sense of security year-round.

A person and a child walking on a community path at dusk

The illuminated Somerville Community Path provides a safe, welcoming environment for commuters

An effective and elegant solution

The Community Path was extended, as part of the MBTA’s GLX project, to stretch between Walnut Street and Poplar Street on either side of MBTA’s East Somerville Station. Added lighting (post-GLX) covers 2,600ft to illuminate previously unlit segments of the path.

As prime consultant, Arup collaborated closely with the City of Somerville from the earliest stages of design through construction. Throughout, Arup advocated for a solution that is low cost, easily installed, and supports long-term maintenance. As part of the design process, Arup evaluated several potential options and installed mock-ups to test each of the options on-site. These mock-ups allowed the City to view the impact and effectiveness of each proposed design firsthand and make an informed decision.

The chosen design integrates light fixtures into the existing guardrail that runs alongside the path. By attaching the light fixtures directly to the rail, this solution was extremely cost effective and required little intervention to install. Lights have now been installed throughout the 2,600 feet of previously unlit path to spread warm light on the path at regular intervals. The result is a lighting solution that is both practical and welcoming.

A community path at dusk with a runner

The lighting solution integrates with the existing guardrail to spread warm light on the path

Heat map of a person walking on a path

Arup evaluated options to recommend a low cost, easily installed solution

Prioritizing the community

The design was developed with the community’s needs at its core. The lighting is dark-sky friendly, meaning it won’t significantly contribute to light pollution because of its downward positioning and warm color temperature. At 3000K and low brightness, the lights create a comfortable atmosphere with improved visibility for pedestrians and cyclists. The system is timed to automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn, ensuring that the path is illuminated during hours of darkness at any time of year. Arup’s thoughtful approach to design has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from residents and daily commuters. 

This work builds on Arup’s previous involvement with the MBTA Green Line Extension, which made the construction of the Community Path possible. Serving in a design reviewer role to MBTA, Arup enabled the project to move forward after a full-scale evaluation. Now, Arup’s work to upgrade the Community Path lighting signals our dedication to the local community and stands as a model for how thoughtful design can enhance safety and increase access to transit.

Arup worked in close collaboration with our team to deliver a design solution that overcame a number of spatial and logistical challenges. The project has fundamentally improved the experience of everyone using the path after dark–enhancing both safety and accessibility.”

Viola Augustin

Senior Planner at City of Somerville