State Plans To Update/Improve Cambridge Overpass Bridge With Buffered Bike Lanes

Woo! From the Boston Globe:

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The state is planning a two-year, $10-million project to completely rebuild a bridge that carries Cambridge Street over the Massachusetts Turnpike and commuter rail tracks in Allston, officials said.

The bridge currently carries three traffic lanes in each direction. After it is rebuilt, the bridge will carry two traffic lanes in each direction as bike lanes will be added along each side, officials said.

The bridge deck is rated in “poor condition and it is at the end of its serviceable life,” said Michael Verseckes, a spokesman for the state’s transportation department. Jersey barriers have for months blocked vehicles from driving on a part of the bridge “that is in an advanced stage of deterioration.”

This bridge has been slowly falling apart for years, combined with the future plans of Harvard to develop this area, it makes a lot of sense to build up the bicycle infrastructure in the area. If the current rate of growth in cycling continues, combined with more student traffic, you could have thousands of cyclists and pedestrians crossing this bridge every day. The added bike lanes and side walks will turn what was once a crumbling mess of a bridge into a vital pedestrian/cyclist through way.

Keep saying this to yourself “Roads are a public utility for moving people.” This doesn’t mean just cars. Roads are a public utility for moving people…roads are a public utility…roads are a pu….roads….

Well done state planners, bravo!

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New Bike Lanes On Cambridge St.

Got this in the email, anyone got pictures yet? Thanks Nate for the heads up.

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“Happy to report I rode some new bike lanes to work along Cambridge St from Washington St in Brighton to Union Square in Allston.”

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Ok This Has To Stop

Inspired by the outcome of Grimlock’s fight against MBTA drivers who run red lights I have decided to take on city hall! Or well the part of Cambridge street as it comes up the hill in front of city hall.

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This morning I was almost killed by a double parker exiting their vehicle (which was double pared WAAAAY out into the street). Which got me to thinking, why exactly do so many people get to double park, a mere stones throw from city hall…? As anyone who drives up that street will tell you, every single morning there is a rash of people parking, standing, dropping off, or picking up, on the part of Cambridge street that curves around to the right near city hall, none of it legal.

I called city hall today to ask about what they were going to do, I was told that they already heavily enforce that area, and as such there are NO double parkers there…to which I replied, “you are wrong, there are a rash of double parkers there every day all day long.” The lady on the phone assured me that they were taking care of the problem. I guess they are going to need a bit more encouragement, over the next couple days I will be documenting the many many double parkers on that street.

If you would like to complain about this issue, drop city hall a call at 617-635-4500

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