streetsblogmass

streetsblogmass, 7 months ago to random

Eyes On the Street: Posts Replace Cones on Mass. Ave. Bridge

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/10/26/eyes-on-the-street-posts-replace-cones-on-mass-ave-bridge

(H/T @Bikeyface)

streetsblogmass, 7 months ago to Massachusetts

The new #Massachusetts #Climate Chief wants agencies like #MassDOT, whose budget still overwhelmingly subsidizes highway infrastructure, to start treating the climate emergency like an actual emergency.

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/10/26/massachusetts-climate-chief-massdot-agenda?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

streetsblogmass, 7 months ago to transit

Lots of big news for #bus riders in yesterday's #MBTA board meeting. The board approved construction contracts for two new bus garages fit out with charging outlets to power some of the T's first #battery buses. And after a pause, the agency is re-starting implementation work for a redesign of the region's bus network:

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/10/24/mbta-board-updates-bus-projects-make-a-comeback
#transit #electricbus

streetsblogmass, 7 months ago to random

We found a map of all the streets where the #MBTA wants new bus-priority infrastructure, like #bus lanes and traffic lights that turn green for transit vehicles, to support planned increases in bus service:

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/10/23/heres-the-mbtas-bus-lane-wishlist-for-its-new-high-frequency-bus-routes

streetsblogmass, 7 months ago to boston

Stefanie Seskin served as #Boston's Director of Active Transportation for 8 years before leaving to join #NACTO this fall. In this interview, she talks about her new role, and reflects on how much #Boston's streets have changed in the past 8 years:

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/10/19/an-exit-interview-with-stefanie-seskin-bostons-8-year-director-of-active-transportation

streetsblogmass, 7 months ago (edited 7 months ago) to journalism

We're hiring! You don’t necessarily need to have a #journalism background, but you should have a demonstrated interest in writing, in addition to an interest in transportation policy from the perspective of people who walk, bike, or ride transit.

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/10/18/were-hiring-streetsblogmass-is-seeking-a-paid-reporting-fellow?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

streetsblogmass, 7 months ago to random

#MassDOT is planning a new off-street shared-use path alongside Route 5 to connect #Northampton and the Mount Tom State Reservation in #Easthampton.

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/10/16/massdot-plans-new-shared-use-path-connection-between-northampton-easthampton?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

streetsblogmass, 8 months ago to random

Though it was only 30 years old, Lynn's train station was showing visible signs of deterioration, with crumbling concrete, abandoned escalators, and severely rusted steel beams. Its closure last October left the city of 100,000 without any rail service for over a year.

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/10/11/mbta-rail-service-will-return-to-downtown-lynn-in-december

streetsblogmass, 8 months ago to random

Thanks to a reader who had a copy of the file downloaded on his phone, we've got a copy of the #MBTA's #samizdat podcast.'

Listen here, and if you have insights about why this was too controversial for the Healey administration, sound off in the comments:

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/10/06/we-got-a-copy-of-the-samizdat-mbta-podcast-listen-here

streetsblogmass, 8 months ago to random

Did you have a chance to listen to, or download, the #MBTA's samizdat podcast before they scrubbed it from the internet this morning?

If so, please reach out to our editor christian@streetsblog.org.

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/10/05/the-fog-of-transparency-why-did-the-healey-administration-memory-hole-the-mbtas-new-podcast

streetsblogmass, 8 months ago to random

The Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation plans to take space away from an Emerald Necklace bikeway to "create another lane of traffic and alleviate congestion" on the Arborway.

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/10/03/state-parks-agency-will-reduce-space-for-bikes-to-expand-traffic-jams-on-the-emerald-necklace

streetsblogmass, 8 months ago to random

"We got new protected bike lanes on the Harvard Bridge, so why aren't there protected bike lanes on the B.U. Bridge?" wonders Ken Carlson, a Cambridge bike advocate who's organizing Thursday's event.

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/10/03/advocates-organize-for-safer-access-across-boston-university-bridge

streetsblogmass, 8 months ago to random

The Huntington Avenue bus lanes are saving riders up to two minutes per trip during rush hours – a cumulative time savings of 25 hours every day for nearly 5,000 bus riders.

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/09/25/bostons-new-huntington-ave-bus-lanes-are-saving-t-riders-25-hours-every-workday

streetsblogmass, 8 months ago to Massachusetts

The new #Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation says that her agency will start taking more responsibility for fighting #climate change: "We all know that we're one of the filthiest industries, and we have a lot of work to do," says Sec. Monica Tibbits-Nutt.

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/09/20/massdot-sec-tibbits-nutt-spotlights-climate-issues-during-first-meeting-as-massdot-board-chair

streetsblogmass, 8 months ago to random

A highway construction project in a Hadley is getting done at the expense of access on one of the state’s busiest rail trails - a major commuter route between Amherst and Northampton

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/09/15/in-hadley-massdot-dcr-shut-down-norwottuck-trail-with-no-viable-detours

streetsblogmass, 9 months ago to random

UPDATED: On Monday, a UPS truck driver struck and killed a bicycle rider on the busy main street of Nonantum Village in Newton.

On Tuesday evening, officials revealed that the victim was Dr. Alex Bohm, a father, Tufts University School of Medicine professor, and Newton resident.

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/08/29/ups-truck-driver-strikes-and-kills-57-year-old-victim-in-newton

streetsblogmass, 9 months ago to random

Given yesterday's fatal crash involving a UPS driver in Newton, remember that you can file formal complaints against truck and delivery companies for dangerous behavior with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Link:

https://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov/nccdb/home.aspx

streetsblogmass, 9 months ago to random

The registration deadline for this year's preliminary municipal elections is September 2 (this Saturday)
#mapoli

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/08/29/saturday-is-the-registration-deadline-for-fall-municipal-elections

streetsblogmass, 9 months ago to random

MassDOT Secretary Gina Fiandaca will step down in September after just 8 months on the job
#mapoli
https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/08/28/massdot-secretary-gina-fiandaca-announces-resignation

streetsblogmass, 9 months ago to random

The state's smaller regional transit authorities are getting a major boost in funding from the newly-enacted Massachusetts state budget.

Here's how some of them are thinking about spending it:
#mapoli

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/08/16/a-more-generous-state-budget-funds-expanded-bus-service-from-regional-transit-authorities

streetsblogmass, 9 months ago to random

Breaking a campaign promise, Gov. Healey's administration has denied another public records request.

The MBTA's new Capital Needs Assessment includes an estimate for the total cost of the T's repair needs. The fact that the administration doesn't want anyone to see it does not inspire confidence:

#mapoli

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/08/14/breaking-a-campaign-promise-healey-admin-denies-public-records-request-for-mbtas-capital-needs

wordshaper, 10 months ago to random

OK this? This right here? This is why you should, if you can, go to or zoom into your local municipalities public meetings. A remarkably small number of vocal assholes can make a huge difference. (So, y'know, use those powers for good, go, and make noise for public transit)

Courtesy of @streetsblogmass : https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/08/09/boston-wants-to-redesign-blue-hill-ave-for-bus-riders-but-car-owners-dominate-public-meetings

streetsblogmass, 10 months ago to random

Boston wants to build center-running bus lanes on Blue Hill Avenue to benefit one the busiest bus route in New England through neighborhoods where 1 in 3 households don't own a car.

But public meetings for the project have been dominated by people who don't ride transit:

https://mass.streetsblog.org/2023/08/09/boston-wants-to-redesign-blue-hill-ave-for-bus-riders-but-car-owners-dominate-public-meetings

streetsblogmass, 10 months ago to random

Yesterday, we checked in on the City of Boston's new 2-way bikeway under construction on Mass. Ave. from Melnea Cass to Columbia Road. The city has started installing flexposts and marking the new lanes:

A person riding a bike in a wide bikeway next to a concrete sidewalk. To their left, a row of plastic flexible post bollards separates the bikeway from two lanes of moving motor vehicle traffic. The street is lined with low-rise industrial buildings.