[SBC] Lombardi St

[alanjane at peoplepc.com]

I do agree with Charlie after being there. We can discuss at the July 15 
meeting. I don't think they will be constructing this anytime soon so I 
don't think we need to send this to anyone else yet (and until the group 
finalizes a recommendation). Seeing that the City (I think) already approved 
this plan, it may be an uphill battle (hope not).

Steve: this brings up a general issue - how can we get more involved in the 
city with reviewing and working with designers in these planning processes. 
It often seems like these plans. One such issue is the proposed improved 
crossing under I-93 at Kensington Ave (Stop and Shop). Now it's a potential 
death trap with cars going 50-60 MPH and the cross walks barely visible. I 
think the proposal is only to put in a flashing yellow light with ped. 
crossing buttons. Perhaps it should have a ped. actuated stop light. Perhaps 
some improvement should happen sooner than later.

Alan


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charlie Denison" <cdenison at comcast.net>
To: "sbc members" <sbc at lists.bostoncoop.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 8:08 PM
Subject: Re: [SBC] Lombardi St


> Ugh, stupid find and replace... Ok I have it right this time:
>
> Alan and I took a little site tour of Lombardi St this morning to see
> what it is like now and visualize what it will be like after the
> proposed "improvements".
>
> What we determined is that the proposed removal of the west sidewalk and
> the resulting missing two crosswalks at Mystic Ave will result in a very
> pedestrian unfriendly situation.
>
> We observed 15 or so pedestrians walk down Lombardi St for the 10
> minutes or so we were there this morning.  Almost every one of them used
> the west sidewalk at some point, as most of them were coming from or
> going towards the Circuit City/Home Depot area.
>
> My own experience has shown has that even if you remove a sidewalk and
> crosswalks, people will continue to take the shortest route possible,
> often dangerously.  If we are to make Assembly Square as easy to get to
> as possible for pedestrians (and cyclists) it is essential that
> sidewalks exist on both sides of Lombardi St and crosswalks exist on all
> legs of both intersections.
>
> Looking at the proposed plans, Alan and I believe that a reconfiguration
> of lanes in two places can achieve the goal of leaving room to keep the
> west sidewalk (while also retaining space for bike lanes):
>
> 1. At Lombardi St and Mystic Ave, the current proposal has 1 southbound
> lane from Assembly Square Drive and 1 left turn lane from Mystic Ave
> each feeding into 2 lanes on Lombardi St.  One of these lanes on
> Lombardi St could be removed, and then it could fan out to two lanes as
> it approaches the intersection with Broadway.
>
> 2. At Lombardi St and Broadway, the current proposal has one lane from
> Mt Vernon St and one left turn lane from Broadway feeding into two lanes
> on Lombardi St.  This could be reduced to one lane on Lombardi St, and
> then fan out to the three lanes at Mystic Ave.
>
> These changes (lane drops and crosswalk additions) will probably have
> some effect on traffic throughput, but to me (and I think Alan as well)
> it is absolutely essential that pedestrians be accommodated to the
> fullest extent through this area that is already very car-oriented and
> intimidating to traverse.  The small effect on traffic throughput is
> acceptable given the importance of this connection for ALL users.
>
> I will draw up a proposal for the changes I think could be made.
>
> Alan, who should we forward these comments to?
>
> Charlie
>
>>
>>
>>
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