Tom
@badusername2121.bsky.social
How can the newly built bus boarding platforms on Summer St be repurposed now that #MBTA Bus route 85 permanently cut back to Bow St in Somerville? Did we know of this in advance?
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social @jake4somerville.bsky.social @benforward3.bsky.social
www.mbta.com/service-chan...
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social @jake4somerville.bsky.social @benforward3.bsky.social
www.mbta.com/service-chan...
December 15, 2025 at 5:05 PM
How can the newly built bus boarding platforms on Summer St be repurposed now that #MBTA Bus route 85 permanently cut back to Bow St in Somerville? Did we know of this in advance?
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social @jake4somerville.bsky.social @benforward3.bsky.social
www.mbta.com/service-chan...
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social @jake4somerville.bsky.social @benforward3.bsky.social
www.mbta.com/service-chan...
It’s crazy that seemingly nobody at @massdot.bsky.social has sat and watched a HAWK in action. It doesn’t matter how many signs you put up, drivers don’t understand it and don’t obey it. At least a RRFB is more difficult to ignore.
Q: Why is the crosswalk at Otis on the side it is?
A: because Otis is meeting a one-way street and we wanted the crosswalk where drivers will be looking.
Q: HAWKS are confusing for drivers. Use traditional signals or RFB
A: there will indications so highly visible
50/?
A: because Otis is meeting a one-way street and we wanted the crosswalk where drivers will be looking.
Q: HAWKS are confusing for drivers. Use traditional signals or RFB
A: there will indications so highly visible
50/?
December 11, 2025 at 3:39 AM
It’s crazy that seemingly nobody at @massdot.bsky.social has sat and watched a HAWK in action. It doesn’t matter how many signs you put up, drivers don’t understand it and don’t obey it. At least a RRFB is more difficult to ignore.
Reposted by Tom
Boston Data Show Streets With New Bike Lanes Successfully Shift Traffic, With Fewer Cars and Way More Bikes - mass.streetsblog.org/2025/12/05/b...
Boston Data Show Streets With New Bike Lanes Successfully Shift Traffic From Cars to Bikes - Streetsblog Massachusetts
Mayor Wu has hard evidence that her bike lane projects are helping reduce traffic – but her administration is reluctant to share it.
mass.streetsblog.org
December 5, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Boston Data Show Streets With New Bike Lanes Successfully Shift Traffic, With Fewer Cars and Way More Bikes - mass.streetsblog.org/2025/12/05/b...
Reposted by Tom
Open house with MassDOT this evening as local residents engaged with the latest plans for the McGrath Boulevard project, which will tear down the overpass and redo the corridor with protected bike lanes, trees and green space. One of the many highlights is a new, elevated crosswalk at Otis Street!
December 5, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Open house with MassDOT this evening as local residents engaged with the latest plans for the McGrath Boulevard project, which will tear down the overpass and redo the corridor with protected bike lanes, trees and green space. One of the many highlights is a new, elevated crosswalk at Otis Street!
Reposted by Tom
🚧TANTALIZING! We all hate the awful 90° intersection of the Community Path and School St, and at long last some possible solutions are emerging. Three scenarios, still early in planning/feasibility, were just presented to the Council! More info: somervillema.legistar.com/MeetingDetai...
November 29, 2025 at 10:28 PM
🚧TANTALIZING! We all hate the awful 90° intersection of the Community Path and School St, and at long last some possible solutions are emerging. Three scenarios, still early in planning/feasibility, were just presented to the Council! More info: somervillema.legistar.com/MeetingDetai...
Reposted by Tom
Paying With Their Time: Increasing Traffic Congestion Erodes Benefits of Boston’s Fare-Free @mbta.com Buses - mass.streetsblog.org/2025/11/19/p...
November 19, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Paying With Their Time: Increasing Traffic Congestion Erodes Benefits of Boston’s Fare-Free @mbta.com Buses - mass.streetsblog.org/2025/11/19/p...
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social while I wish the Facbook page fear mongering were correct that this work means the McGrath Blvd construction is starting, do you know if there are any safety improvements planned by MassDOT as part of the ongoing median reconstruction?
November 18, 2025 at 11:07 PM
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social while I wish the Facbook page fear mongering were correct that this work means the McGrath Blvd construction is starting, do you know if there are any safety improvements planned by MassDOT as part of the ongoing median reconstruction?
Reposted by Tom
Featured comment on our Arborway story (linked below)
"If an airport had a poor safety record and they refused to take corrective action in a timely manner would we continue to let them operate?"
www.reddit.com/r/streetsblo...
"If an airport had a poor safety record and they refused to take corrective action in a timely manner would we continue to let them operate?"
www.reddit.com/r/streetsblo...
Flat_Try747's comment on "Your Annual Update That DCR’s Arborway Redesign Still Isn’t Happening"
Explore this conversation and more from the streetsblogmass community
www.reddit.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Featured comment on our Arborway story (linked below)
"If an airport had a poor safety record and they refused to take corrective action in a timely manner would we continue to let them operate?"
www.reddit.com/r/streetsblo...
"If an airport had a poor safety record and they refused to take corrective action in a timely manner would we continue to let them operate?"
www.reddit.com/r/streetsblo...
Got beeped at the other day for stopping at the HAWK by 93 as an elderly man pushed his wife in a wheelchair through the crosswalk in front of me. Red light + camera is the only way to get drivers to give up their perceived priority over pedestrians.
unless we are going to send everyone back to driver's ed, let's just do away with HAWK signals please 🙏
This morning in WBUR Today: What's a pedestrian hybrid beacon? The traffic light Mass. drivers keep messing up
Plus:
— What happens if the Cape bridges aren't rebuilt?
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10... @wbur.org
Plus:
— What happens if the Cape bridges aren't rebuilt?
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10... @wbur.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Got beeped at the other day for stopping at the HAWK by 93 as an elderly man pushed his wife in a wheelchair through the crosswalk in front of me. Red light + camera is the only way to get drivers to give up their perceived priority over pedestrians.
Reposted by Tom
It’s been a long time coming, our contractor has installed precast concrete curbs along the bike lane on Curtis Street. More coming to Washington Street soon! 🚲
October 16, 2025 at 8:19 PM
It’s been a long time coming, our contractor has installed precast concrete curbs along the bike lane on Curtis Street. More coming to Washington Street soon! 🚲
Reposted by Tom
We need to work with our state delegation and the Department of Conservation and Recreation to make necessary changes to Route 16 that reduce unsafe driver behavior like speeding and red light running. And it’s high time drivers experienced consequences for this reckless behavior.
October 11, 2025 at 2:41 AM
We need to work with our state delegation and the Department of Conservation and Recreation to make necessary changes to Route 16 that reduce unsafe driver behavior like speeding and red light running. And it’s high time drivers experienced consequences for this reckless behavior.
Reposted by Tom
am I watching things on television that are different from what’s happening?
September 30, 2025 at 11:19 PM
am I watching things on television that are different from what’s happening?
@jfh01.bsky.social The cast in place concrete is the right way to go.
The only people I could imagine are in favor of the zebra bumps are delivery drivers and wrist surgeons.
I’ve crashed once before hitting the base of a flex post with no post, these are far less visible.
The only people I could imagine are in favor of the zebra bumps are delivery drivers and wrist surgeons.
I’ve crashed once before hitting the base of a flex post with no post, these are far less visible.
Boston Tries Out ‘Better Barriers’ to Sub For Battered Bollards
"Long-term, our goal is to move away from flexposts in most circumstances," says @boston.gov's Chief of Streets.
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/09/30/b...
"Long-term, our goal is to move away from flexposts in most circumstances," says @boston.gov's Chief of Streets.
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/09/30/b...
Boston Tries Out 'Better Barriers' to Sub For Battered Bollards - Streetsblog Massachusetts
"Long-term, our goal is to move away from flexposts in most circumstances," says Boston's Chief of Streets.
mass.streetsblog.org
October 1, 2025 at 2:50 AM
@jfh01.bsky.social The cast in place concrete is the right way to go.
The only people I could imagine are in favor of the zebra bumps are delivery drivers and wrist surgeons.
I’ve crashed once before hitting the base of a flex post with no post, these are far less visible.
The only people I could imagine are in favor of the zebra bumps are delivery drivers and wrist surgeons.
I’ve crashed once before hitting the base of a flex post with no post, these are far less visible.
Boston’s new “Better Buffers” initiative plans to replace flexposts with cast-in-place curbs. Somerville has started using pre-cast curbs recently. I assume pre-cast is cheaper/quicker to implement and just as protective as cast-in-place.
www.boston.gov/departments/...
www.boston.gov/departments/...
September 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Boston’s new “Better Buffers” initiative plans to replace flexposts with cast-in-place curbs. Somerville has started using pre-cast curbs recently. I assume pre-cast is cheaper/quicker to implement and just as protective as cast-in-place.
www.boston.gov/departments/...
www.boston.gov/departments/...
Reposted by Tom
When they founded this country some 250 years ago, one of the core ideas was that it shouldn’t be this hard to figure out why someone was deprived of their liberty (or where they are being held) by the government.
September 23, 2025 at 5:53 PM
When they founded this country some 250 years ago, one of the core ideas was that it shouldn’t be this hard to figure out why someone was deprived of their liberty (or where they are being held) by the government.
Reposted by Tom
The Community Path Safety Improvements project to implement both near-term quick-build improvements and longer-term design options along the path, at key intersections and at the two Green Line station entrances on the path. 🧵
September 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The Community Path Safety Improvements project to implement both near-term quick-build improvements and longer-term design options along the path, at key intersections and at the two Green Line station entrances on the path. 🧵
Reposted by Tom
“We need leadership who will tell us the trade-offs … We need an administration who will own delays and slipped deadlines for what they are rather than letting the council take the heat while adjusting the goalposts.”
medium.com/@fdmts/our-c...
medium.com/@fdmts/our-c...
Our Civic Backlog
A casual observer of Somerville politics, dropping in on a meeting or two, might get the impression that the city is overcommitted. It’s…
medium.com
September 16, 2025 at 12:08 PM
“We need leadership who will tell us the trade-offs … We need an administration who will own delays and slipped deadlines for what they are rather than letting the council take the heat while adjusting the goalposts.”
medium.com/@fdmts/our-c...
medium.com/@fdmts/our-c...
Reposted by Tom
For #somerville #somerpoli
City Council At-Large candidate Holly Simione suggests stopping building new protected bike lanes and thinks cyclists should pay a fee to register their bikes.
City Council At-Large candidate Holly Simione suggests stopping building new protected bike lanes and thinks cyclists should pay a fee to register their bikes.
September 9, 2025 at 10:43 PM
For #somerville #somerpoli
City Council At-Large candidate Holly Simione suggests stopping building new protected bike lanes and thinks cyclists should pay a fee to register their bikes.
City Council At-Large candidate Holly Simione suggests stopping building new protected bike lanes and thinks cyclists should pay a fee to register their bikes.
This is great, can @mayorwu.boston.gov stop backsliding on street safety and put back the bike and bus lanes that have been removed during the campaign now? Maybe also prioritizing safety on Hyde Park Ave redesign before someone else is killed? mass.streetsblog.org/2025/08/14/w...
The Emerson College Polling survey of Boston voters released Friday shows 72% support Wu, with just 22% supporting Kraft.
New poll shows Wu with 50-point lead over Kraft in Boston mayor race
The Emerson College Polling survey of Boston voters released Friday shows 72% support Wu, with just 22% supporting Kraft.
www.wbur.org
September 5, 2025 at 2:23 PM
This is great, can @mayorwu.boston.gov stop backsliding on street safety and put back the bike and bus lanes that have been removed during the campaign now? Maybe also prioritizing safety on Hyde Park Ave redesign before someone else is killed? mass.streetsblog.org/2025/08/14/w...
Reposted by Tom
Here is a brief history of why I am so frustrated with the lack of progress on a Highland Ave redesign.
(If you enjoy municipal rants, this post is for you.)
youtu.be/lP0zGdQSXIk?...
(If you enjoy municipal rants, this post is for you.)
youtu.be/lP0zGdQSXIk?...
September 2, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Here is a brief history of why I am so frustrated with the lack of progress on a Highland Ave redesign.
(If you enjoy municipal rants, this post is for you.)
youtu.be/lP0zGdQSXIk?...
(If you enjoy municipal rants, this post is for you.)
youtu.be/lP0zGdQSXIk?...
Reposted by Tom
Here's the schedule from 2021. We are now all the way off the right hand side of this chart.
This is for the goddamn community process, not the paving or the painting or anything else.
44/?
This is for the goddamn community process, not the paving or the painting or anything else.
44/?
August 29, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Here's the schedule from 2021. We are now all the way off the right hand side of this chart.
This is for the goddamn community process, not the paving or the painting or anything else.
44/?
This is for the goddamn community process, not the paving or the painting or anything else.
44/?
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social I’m very happy that Gilman is getting much of its 2023 bike lane back on Medford St, as well as pre-cast concrete upgrades to School. The CPX detour lanes reduced speeding and made ped crossing of Mdfd/School feel much safer due to the reduced crossing distance.
Medford Street & School Street Protected Bike Lanes
As part of the Somerville Bicycle Network Plan and through funding provided by the City’s Participatory Budgeting, the City aims to install protected bike lanes on Medford Street between Pearl Street ...
voice.somervillema.gov
August 28, 2025 at 6:28 PM
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social I’m very happy that Gilman is getting much of its 2023 bike lane back on Medford St, as well as pre-cast concrete upgrades to School. The CPX detour lanes reduced speeding and made ped crossing of Mdfd/School feel much safer due to the reduced crossing distance.
Looking at the map of spotted lanternfly in MA feels like there are marauders at the gates. I’m hoping the next administration can dedicate some significant resources to invasive species management. Plants like Black Swallow Wort are so pervasive and many don’t know/care they have it.
August 28, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Looking at the map of spotted lanternfly in MA feels like there are marauders at the gates. I’m hoping the next administration can dedicate some significant resources to invasive species management. Plants like Black Swallow Wort are so pervasive and many don’t know/care they have it.
Reposted by Tom
Wu Won’t Fix Hyde Park Ave. Safety Hazards in Upcoming Paving Project - mass.streetsblog.org/2025/08/14/w...
Wu Won't Fix Hyde Park Ave. Safety Hazards in Upcoming Paving Project - Streetsblog Massachusetts
"It’s been proven that that area is deadly for pedestrians, and a mess for people in cars too, so let’s fix it up,” says City Councilor Ben Weber.
mass.streetsblog.org
August 14, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Wu Won’t Fix Hyde Park Ave. Safety Hazards in Upcoming Paving Project - mass.streetsblog.org/2025/08/14/w...
Reposted by Tom
SASS put out a questionnaire to our candidates to see where they stood on safe streets. I wanted to add my own personal commentary. These views are mine alone, not SASS. I like a candidate who evolves their views based on data and learning.
I'll start with mayor: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
1/
I'll start with mayor: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
1/
SASS Candidate Questionnaire: Mayoral Responses
docs.google.com
August 13, 2025 at 12:32 AM
SASS put out a questionnaire to our candidates to see where they stood on safe streets. I wanted to add my own personal commentary. These views are mine alone, not SASS. I like a candidate who evolves their views based on data and learning.
I'll start with mayor: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
1/
I'll start with mayor: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
1/