Comment deadline is Wednesday

We've made a lot of progress in the past few months...

Wednesday is the deadline to email dot.feedback.highway@state.ma.us mentioning "Project File # 606376".

Planters for cycletrack/sidewalk seperation

One concern with MassDOT's current design is the lack of physical separation between the cycle track and sidewalk. One solution could be metal planters like these ones on Brattle Street in Harvard Sq (near the Curious George bookstore). They are 1' wide, approximately 4' long, and solid enough that they aren't getting knocked over unless a team of linebackers pushes hard on them.

Where Cambridge Street REALLY doesn't need a median fence

How often do you see someone jaywalking in this section of Cambridge Street, between Lincoln Street and the top of the Mansfield St stairs?

In my experience, it effectively never happens. There is relatively little pedestrian activity here and there are no "attractions" on either side that would draw people to cross the street here.

Therefore the 6' tall median fence that MassDOT and the Boston Transportation Department are proposing for Cambridge Street from Lincoln Street to Highgate Street is quite unnecessary here. The road is resting solidly on soil (unlike portions where it is a bridge above the Pike), so it could be possible to plant trees instead of a fence in the 450' of median from the newly proposed crosswalk to Lincoln Street.

Wouldn't it be great to have the Cambridge Street median look more like this Brighton Ave median?

After criticism from neighbors, state agrees to alter parts of plan to rebuild Cambridge Street overpass in Allston

After criticism from neighbors, state agrees to alter parts of plan to rebuild Cambridge Street overpass in Allston - Boston.com

"State officials, in response to a fervent push by area residents and commuters, announced Tuesday they will change several key aspects of a plan to rebuild the Cambridge Street overpass in Allston."

Why this project is needed

Here are a couple stories from 2010 for anyone wondering why this $10M project is needed.

Cambridge Street overpass in sorry shape « CBS Boston August 12, 2010 

Officials say the crumbling Cambridge Street overpass, which crosses over the Massachusetts Turnpike in Allston, could take years to repair.
Chunks of concrete have been falling onto cars driving along the Mass Pike and passing commuter trains are forced to take it slow while passing beneath the roadway.
For now, a metal plate has been placed over a hole in the sidewalk on the Allston-bound side of the bridge, and one of the three traffic lanes has been isolated by jersey barriers to handle foot traffic.

Crews repair hole on bridge sidewalk in Allston, August 12, 2010

Crews worked overnight Wednesday to repair a large hole on the sidewalk of an Allston bridge.
According to the Department of Transportation, a large chunk of concrete fell underneath the sidewalk portion of the Cambridge Street overpass.  

A large metal plate was used to cover the hole, but officials said that is a temporary fix.

It is the same bridge where last September chunks of concrete came loose and slammed into Meg Garvey as she was driving down the Massachusetts Pike.
“It just sounded like explosion, and came right at me,” said Meg Garvey.