Western Ave Is A Mess

Got this report today, thanks John! I was down here the other day, it most certainly is all torn up. In fact roads all over town are getting torn up right now, post more problem areas in the comments.

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Map here

Western Ave in the Allston/Brighton area is a mess from Harvard Ave to Batten Way.

Pavement is dug up and is very dangerous for thin tires, mountain and city tires should be fine but watch the pavement edges (and manhole covers) as they are screaming for a pinch flat. Not sure when paving will be completed but I imagine it will be done before next Monday

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Cambridge To Rebuild Western Ave Include Many Cycling Improvements

Seems Western Ave is getting a makeover. Which is well and truly needed, I once hit a pot hole on that street that resulted in a broken rib…boy howdy was that a couple months of slow riding.

Read all about it here, or see the full plan here (pdf).

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Western Avenue is scheduled to be fully reconstructed beginning in fall, 2011. The underground stormwater and sewer system, roadway and sidewalks will all be replaced from Franklin Street to Memorial Drive. The redesign considers all street users: walkers, bicyclists, bus riders and drivers. The public process began in January 2010. Neighborhood walks and community-wide meetings have been held. An advisory committee met regularly. Following are the project goals that were developed in conjunction with the Advisory Committee:

• Ensure corridor is safe for all users
• Maintain adequate traffic flow
• Reinforce residential character
• Ensure appropriate traffic speed
• Improve conditions for walking, bicycling and transit riders
• Meet and exceed accessibility requirements
• Improve access to businesses
• Help meet stormwater environmental goals through green design
• Provide adequate parking
• Promote environmental sustainability
• Improve landscaping

more here

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New Video Of Western Ave Bike Lanes

Greg over at the humble cyclist has some amazing footage of the new Western Ave, be sure to watch the whole thing for the surprise!

Greg has a lot great info in this post well worth a read.

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Help Fix The River Street/Western Ave Bridges

We all know river street and western ave need some work, the bike lanes are lakes (frozen at this time of year) and pot hole central (I may or may not have broken my collar bone on one). Go tell these people you want bike lanes, and bike accommodations on river street, western ave, and the bridges! These are major bike corridors and need a lot of improvement.

Press release below

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Highway Division Invites You to a Public Information Meeting for the River Street Bridge/Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project

Wednesday, February 3, 2010
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Honan-Allston Branch Library
300 North Harvard Street, Allston, MA

The purpose of this meeting is to provide an overview of the proposed rehabilitation of the historic River Street and Western Avenue Bridges, introduce MassDOT’s design team, answer questions and gather comments.

The River Street Bridge/Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project is being undertaken by MassDOT as part of the Commonwealth’s Accelerated Bridge Program. The goals of the project are to improve structural integrity and enhance accessibility. The main objectives are to repair deteriorating elements of the bridges, upgrade structural capacity and improve local street connections and accessibility. The proposed rehabilitation will respect the documented historic status of these landmark structures and preserve as many of the original elements as possible. The River Street Bridge was constructed in 1926 and the Western Avenue Bridge was constructed in 1924. Both bridges are listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and serve as primary connections between Cambridge and Boston.

If you have questions or would like more information about the project, please contact Robert Antico, MassDOT Highway Division Project Manager, [email protected].

To be added to the project email or US Mail distribution lists, please contact Stephanie Boundy, Public Outreach Coordinator for MassDOT’s Accelerated Bridge Program, at 617-973-8049 or [email protected].

The library is accessible. To request language or access accommodations, please contact Stephanie Boundy at the above email address or phone number at least 10 days in advance. In case of inclement weather, meeting cancellation announcements will be posted on http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/.

Please share this notice with others who may be interested in the project.

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