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It was encouraging to see such a large turnout from the BTD team and other Boston departments at the #BlueHillAve meeting this evening. They presented data and concepts and collected lots of comments from neighbors. https://twitter.com/BostonBTD/status/1176996673261899776">https://twitter.com/BostonBTD...
Note that all options presented included new pedestrian crosswalks across #BlueHillAve where people now try to run across gaps in traffic. BTD also plans to improve ped signal timing. – bei Mattapan
BTD’s three concepts also all included a road diet on #BlueHillAve to extend the #NeponsetGreenway cycletrack from Milton into Boston, as well as cycletracks on Cummins Hwy connecting to that $4m project.
Here is the thread on BTD& #39;s Cummins Hwy project: https://twitter.com/LeeToma/status/1118670360612880384">https://twitter.com/LeeToma/s...
BTD presented three #BlueHillAve concepts. #1 would add curb bumpouts, xwalks & signal timing tweaks. #2 would add a bus lane left turn straight into #Mattapan Station. #3 would switch angle to parallel parking and use the space to add cycletracks. – bei Kipp Academy
People expressed concern that there wouldn’t be enough space for buses to switch lanes from the last bus stop and get over to the left turn lane. #BlueHillAve
People commented that drivers try to park as close as possible to their destination and don’t often use the off-street parking lots. BTD (Charlotte) suggested wayfinding signage could help with that. A shop owner warmed to parallel parking and cycletracks.
Changing #BlueHillAve parking from angled to parallel would remove about 22 parking spots on each side of the road, but would also improve safety and traffic flow by eliminating people backing out into traffic.
There is a desire for faster transit on the #BlueHillAve corridor, and that includes looking at dedicated bus lanes - just not in Mattapan Square where there are multiple lane changes. #BRT
Timeline for #BlueHillAve updates in Mattapan Square? Simpler things will happen sooner, but the roadway improvements will likely be in late 2020.
It’s always a pleasure to see Vivien Morris, who does so much for Mattapan!
And finally, some nice photos of the meeting by Roudnie: https://twitter.com/Mattapan_ONS/status/1177007790075863040">https://twitter.com/Mattapan_...
Tomorrow - Boston meeting on improvements to the #BlueHillAve corridor: https://twitter.com/T4MASS/status/1235314722725122055">https://twitter.com/T4MASS/st...
Tonight - Boston meeting on improvements to the #BlueHillAve corridor: https://twitter.com/StreetsblogMASS/status/1235573238073364480">https://twitter.com/Streetsbl...
Boston had a positive Blue Hill Ave meeting last night. This would form a major part of the #GoBoston2030 goal of linking the city& #39;s other bike networks to the #NeponsetGreenway and the future Route 138 bikeway: https://twitter.com/StreetsblogMASS/status/1235963757915930626">https://twitter.com/Streetsbl...
The presentation included the potential for new murals by local artists...
...And a focus on implementing two #GoBoston2030 goals, bus rapid transit and a multiuse path from the SW Corridor to Milton& #39;s bike network. https://www.boston.gov/departments/transportation/go-boston-2030">https://www.boston.gov/departmen...
#BlueHillAve Concepts 1&2 (bike lanes in some areas) were not presented. Only Concepts 3&4 (both bus & bike lanes the whole length) were shown.
Here is BTD& #39;s handout comparing Concepts 3&4 to the current conditions at Walk Hill Street. While the bike lanes would extend the whole length, they will be at street level for most of the distance.
Grade-separated bike lanes might follow later. BTD says they would consider using concrete dividers to keep cars out of the bike lanes.
Note: BTD says the Mattapan Square area will be a separate redesign project, which would most likely eliminate the bus turnaround loop across the river in Milton.
Plan views of #BlueHillAve Concepts 3&4 at the Fairmount Line (Simco& #39;s / Jubilee) and at Morningstar:
#BlueHillAve project timeline - preliminary elements would start this spring, and major work would happen next year.
Footnote: Forty years ago(!!!), back in the early days of busing, I went to fourth and fifth grades at the Joseph E Lee School. Back then I liked going for a long bus ride across the city every day!
Also: Kudos to the @MattapanFoodFit @mffcvigyouth team for keeping involved in local matters! They are the future of this community, and we should make the streets safer for them. Back when I went to school here, one of my classmates was struck and killed by a driver in Rozzie.
