Comments on: Joe’s Original Crosswalks

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 06:12:11 +0000

I just found an interesting resource on Cambridge Ramps, here:

http://www.cambridgema.gov/TheWorks/pdffiles/RampsWebPDF.pdf

Look how many ramps are clearly in a bad state of repair and not compliant, pretty shocking. There are the obvious offenders such as the sites with 4 defects (note they only look for 4 defects, so there may be more in reality). But then there are intersections to that are really bad like Prospect St – New Hampshire and Winter St – Sciarappa St which are collectively very bad.

Hey at least Cambridge knows that all there crossings and ramps are in crappy condition and not compliant with ADA guidelines…. just wish they would fix them.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:36:45 +0000

Sorry I guess that last one would be a traffic violation, still stupid though. The only thing that sign stops is people getting into the hospital quickly, nothing else.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:35:08 +0000

The same problems sadly exist in Cambridge MA. Ironically Somerville and Cambridge rack up tonnes of money on parking tickets for blocking of so called curb ramps that are nowhere near ADA compliant, and none of this money goes into improving access for disabled citizens.

It gets worse, I just saw a No Turn Right On Red sign in Cambridge next to the Cambridge Hospital Entrance.

Cambridge Health Aliance Hospital Campus near 1522 Cambridge Street in Cambridge.
The sign must be recent 2009 or 2010 because its not on Google Street Search yet.

I hope the idiot who put that sign up realizes that their stupidity and need to put up needless signs to increase parking ticket revenue will people their lives.

By: Joe Lynch

Joe Lynch — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:00:55 +0000

You may have read recently that our redevelopment efforts in Magoun Square have finally paid off with the announcement of $3.1million dollars in federal stimulus money now dedicated to the project.

Several times over the 6 years of planning for this redo, I’ve asked the city to properly address the ADA requirements. It appears that most are being addressed. There is one, however, I am extremely concerned about.

At the apex of Broadway and Medford Street right in the heart of the square, the sidewalk slopes so steeply that it precludes wheelchair access even during the snowless months.

At the City’s September kick-off meeting for the project, I again questioned the city’s consultant, David Giangrande of DCI, why no accomodations were made for easier and safer pedestrian travel on this stretch of sidewalk. The response again was less than satisfactory. Too expensive.

I would be willing to give up all the $3,000 trash barrels, the $2,000 iron benches and the $800 bike rings to make this ADA compliant and safe for pedestrian use.

Any suggestions?

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:50:02 +0000

Add to this list Beacon Street at Sacramento Street. There you find a busy crosswalk linking to Star Market, the Fitchburg Line pedestrian underpass, and crossing the longest unsignalized road stretch in Somerville. No curb cuts on either end of the crosswalk! No ADA accessibility and no personal shopping cart access to Star Market.

By: Fred B

Fred B — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:41:06 +0000

In the Somerville Ave. placement of new sidewalks there is surprisingly no curb cuts where there was curb cuts before (for example, currently none at Belmont/Somerville I believe). It is bizarre. Personally, I think of the placements of crosswalks cause problems at several intersections because they are not thought out.

By: Gulch

Gulch — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:25 +0000

At the risk of being redundant, I’ll comment again that the epidemic of sidewalk cyclists–especially in Union Square–wreak havoc on the safety of disabled & senior pedestrians!

I believe this comment has a place in this posting about sidewalk hazards to Somerville disabled citizens…

Why isn’t the City enforcing the local ordinance that prohibits sidewalk cycling in the city squares?

The City trumpeted it’s intention to enforce this ordinance last fall…now City Hall has contracted PSA–Public Safety Amnesia!

By: Dennis Fischman

Dennis Fischman — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:01:57 +0000

What an important piece of journalism: thanks!

By: eila

eila — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:52:21 +0000

Dan! what an incredible donation you and Melora and the Willow Ave community provided to the Somerville community. Both the bulb-out and the raised crosswalk are good solutions. I hope your expert- and generous- work bears fruit.

By: dshugrue

dshugrue — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:54:55 +0000

Melora Rush and I met with the Mayor on June 2 2008 to discuss traffic safety on Willow Ave. This meeting took place after we participated in a 12 week study of the area with volunteers from various engineering and traffic backgrounds. We made our recommendations to the Mayor and others at his office in city hall. The recommendations were well received and the Mayor promised to help. We documented the meeting in a letter to the editor of the Somerville Journal http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/homepage/x527177668/Letter-Mayor-we-like-your-commitment
For background on the Willow Ave traffic study group pls see http://willave.blogspot.com