Study: People of Color Suffer Higher Health Risks From Highway Pollution
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Thanks to decades of planning decisions that routed highways through Asian, black and Latinx neighborhoods, and a lack of affordable housing in transit-accessible locations, air pollution from tailpipes is significantly more likely to harm communities of color across Massachusetts, according to a new study from the Union of Concerned Scientists. In the new report, Inequitable […]
Unforced Error on the Fenway: New Bike Lanes on Busy Roads Lack Physical Protection
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A repaving project of the Fenway and Park Drive near the Landmark Center is drawing criticism from Boston-area cyclists for installing new unprotected bike lanes in dangerous, heavy-traffic locations where parking-protected bike lanes appear to be feasible. The project includes the intersection of Park Drive and Brookline Avenue. In February, a driver at that location […]
New MassTrails Program Funds 71 Trail Projects on a Shoestring
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A new statewide grant program has released its first round of awards, stretching $5 million in state and federal funds to advance dozens of trail projects across the state. MassTrails, a relatively new collaboration between the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and MassDOT, aims to fill gaps in the state’s growing network of […]
Do Millennials Love Sprawl Now? Eh, Not Exactly
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The “return to the city” movement is dead — or so say some news outlets after data from Brookings showed population growth in the suburbs outpacing that of cities, especially among millennials. “American suburbs swell as a new generation escapes the city,” wrote the Wall Street Journal. Mother Jones piled on with “Millennials love the burbs.” […]
Independence From Cars Day: A Car-Free Waterfront and Free Bluebikes Rides
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Boston’s July 4th celebrations along the Charles River present a rare opportunity for Bostonians to enjoy a car-free waterfront. Bluebikes will offer unlimited free rides all day on the 4th (use code “BlueCross4” in the Bluebikes app or sign up for a free code on the website). There will be extra Bluebikes valets from 5 […]
TOD-Da! Oregon Blocks Single-Family Zoning
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The Oregon legislature passed a bill striking low-density zoning in large cities on Sunday, a move that helps create transit-oriented development.
Higher Fares Take Effect, and Elected Officials Respond With a ‘Boston T Party’
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A fare increase for most MBTA subway and commuter rail tickets takes effect today, but dozens of local elected officials and activists are responding with a “Boston T Party” during this morning’s commute. The higher prices take effect nearly three weeks after a Red Line train went off the rails at the JFK/UMass station and […]
State’s Memorial Drive Concept Conserves Cambridge Waterfront… for Cars
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On Tuesday evening in Cambridge, several dozen neighbors, local politicians and transportation advocates turned out to hear the state’s conceptual improvement plans for the “Memorial Drive Phase III” project, which would rebuild the roadways and paths on Cambridge’s riverfront from Eliot Bridge near Mount Auburn Hospital to the rotary at the foot of the Boston […]
StreetFilms: Amsterdam's Parking Purge
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The core of this idea is one that might appeal even to Boston's car owners: let everyone who currently has a free on-street parking permit keep it – but make future residents of Boston pay a fair price for the privilege of parking on the street.
Motorist Kills Pedestrian at Mass. Ave. and Melnea Cass
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Massachusetts State Police are investigating after a motorist killed a pedestrian this morning at the dangerous intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard in Roxbury. The intersection is one of the city’s most chilling examples of how outdated street design is a serious threat to the safety of the traveling public: according to the […]