[*BCM*] LivableStreets Alliance e-bulletin #11

[Jeff Rosenblum]

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LivableStreets Alliance
E-bulletin #11 -- March 3, 2006

Feature Article: IS CITY TRAFFIC KILLING YOUR LOVE LIFE? (By Sarah 
Ferguson, The Village voice)

- JOIN US FOR STREET TALK: LESSONS FROM PORTLAND, OR
- DISAPPOINTING LOSS: DOUG FOY, STATE'S SMART GROWTH CHAMPION, STEPS DOWN
- CONCERNS ABOUT PROPOSED COMM AVE RECONSTRUCTION
- STORROW DRIVE TO TAKE OVER ESPLANADE?
- ARLINGTON DWELLERS WANT YEAR ROUND ACCESS TO MINUTEMAN PATH
- LIVABLESTREETS BOARD MEMBER KEN KRUCKEMEYER TO RECEIVE AWARD AT 
WALKBOSTON ANNUAL CELEBRATION
- WHAT'S GOING ON? CALENDAR!

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http://www.livablestreets.info/files/newsletters/ebulletin11.htm

Contact Jeff Rosenblum 617-939-3824, jeff at livablestreets.info, for more 
information.

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EXCERPTS
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Reminder: We are now LivableStreets Alliance, advocates for a 
comprehensive transportation network that improves the quality of urban 
life in Boston. The Boston Bicycle Planning Initiative is now a project 
of LivableStreets. We formed this organization with the belief that 
advocacy for better transportation is more successful when framed terms 
of improving quality of life. It’s not just about better subway service, 
more bike lanes or pedestrian friendly intersections— it’s about 
bringing all the different pieces together to create more livable streets.

Success! Over 100 participated in the first 2 (of 4) Citizens' Forums 
co-sponsored by LivableStreets and the Museum of Science!
http://www.livablestreets.info

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CONCERNS ABOUT PROPOSED COMM AVE RECONSTRUCTION

In February, LivableStreets Alliance submitted a letter to the 
Commonwealth, City of Boston, and Boston University expressing concerns 
with the current design plans for the reconstruction of the stretch of 
Commonwealth Avenue between the BU Bridge and Kenmore Square. Advocates 
were not invited to participate in the design process after the public 
hearing held almost 4 years ago and were not aware that the project had 
restarted from a stalled status.

LivableStreets reviewed the design drawings in collaboration with 
Walkboston, Adaptive Environments (advocates for universal design), and 
the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition.

Key issues: (1) Narrow width and choice of surface material of sidewalks 
at certain locations; roadway and sidewalk grading; and design of street 
corners and driveway aprons. (2) Unsafe and awkward design of many of 
the ramps, crosswalks, and islands. (3) Lack of a designated marked 
space for bicyclists and lack of attention to transitions for cyclists 
into and out of the project boundaries and movements at key 
intersections. (4) Signal timing issues including excessive pedestrian 
wait times, lack of signal prioritization for trolleys and buses, and 
relationship of synchronized vehicle signals with overall traffic speed. 
(5) Elimination of a significant number of existing trees.

Click here for a copy of the February 27, 2006 letter.
http://www.livablestreets.info/files/27feb06_commonwealthave_links.pdf

Click here to read the January 1, 2006 article in the Boston Globe.
http://www.livablestreets.info/files/commave/globe_1jan06.pdf

Click here to read the January 26, 2006 article in the BU Source
http://www.livablestreets.info/files/commave/26jan06_busource_articleoncommave.pdf

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