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Streetsblog Network

Connecting people to information about how to improve walking, biking, and transit

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Streetsblog Massachusetts

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Monica Tibbits-Nutt

MassDOT

Governor Healey Promotes Transit Advocate Monica Tibbits-Nutt to Run MassDOT

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Highway Boondoggles 2023: A Cape Cod Canard

<p>Got tips? Send them to me via Signal, the encrypted messaging app, at 207-310-0728. You can also follow me on <a href="https://better.boston/@cmilneil" rel="me">Mastodon.</a></p>


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Christian MilNeil

A two-frame animation shows the current-day view of the Bowker Overpass compared with a rendering illustration of the same view after a new highway project is complete. The current-day view shows a patched-up highway overpass extending over a railroad and multi-lane freeway that runs horizontally across the middle of the image. Beyond the highway, the overpass continues over city streets among the treetops in a park. In the rendering, a new overpass runs along the same course, but two on- and off-ramps connecting the overpass to the surface streets in the distance have been removed, and a second, parallel bridge carries three lanes of traffic and a wide bike and pedestrian path to the left.

BirdsEyeViewLookingNorth

Highways

More Details On MassDOT’s Plans to Rebuild Bowker Overpass

2880px-Valley_Flyer_Amtrak_train_471_at_SPG_24_Jan_2020

Amtrak

MassDOT Outlines ‘Compass Rail’ Vision for New Passenger Services in Western Mass.

A map of Northampton and Easthampton showing existing segments of the Manhan Rail Trail, which connects the two towns in a C shape. The Connecticut River meanders on the right side of the map. An east-west spur of the Manhan Rail Trail in Easthampton, which forms the bottom of the "C" shape, would be extended north towards downtown Northampton in an upcoming project. A dotted straight line indicates the location of that project. The dotted line stops just south of downtown Northampton and runs alongside the Silvio O. Conte Wildlife Refuge next to the river.

US 5 Northampton Easthampton trail project locator map

Trails

MassDOT Plans New Shared-Use Path Connection Between Northampton, Easthampton

Map of Route 9 and the Norwottuck Rail Trail in Hadley. Route 9 runs diagonally from lower left (SW) to upper right (NE) while the green line representing the trail runs in a less-steep diagonal path that crosses Route 9 in the center. A red X at the intersection marks the location labelled "Rt. 9 Tunnel Closure".

NorwottuckClosureMap

Changing Course, MassDOT Will Provide Safe Detour For Norwottuck Trail Blockage in Hadley

A group of people in construction vests stands on asphalt next to a large, washed-out gully that has destroyed a roadway and undermined a railroad. To their right, steel rails and their wooden ties are suspended in midair above the washout.

HealeySurveysStormDamageInLeominster_creditJoshuaQualisGovernorsPressOffice

Environment

Sec. Tibbits-Nutt Spotlights Climate Issues In First Meeting As MassDOT Board Chair

A homemade sign printed on 8.5"x11" paper is haphazardly taped to the entrance to a pedestrian tunnel. The sign uses different fonts for each line of text. The top line reads (in blue, italicized text): "Join other trail users:" the next line, in black, larger text: "Plan an alternate route", the next line, smaller black text: "to use during the" (in red, larger italicized text) "upcoming" (final line, red bolder text) "tunnel closure". On the left side of the paper, someone has hand-written the word "When?" with a black marker. Fine print at the bottom of the sign says "FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT PARK SUPERVISOR AT (413) 387-4339."

DCRHadleySignage_creditMassbike

Accessibility

In Hadley, MassDOT, DCR Shut Down Norwottuck Trail With No Viable Detours

A paved bike path runs alongside a two-lane road (right) and a sidewalk (left) under some trees. In the middle distance in the upper-left corner is a brick school building.

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Street Design

Eyes On the Street: Dutch-Style Infrastructure In the Suburbs of Springfield

TobinBridgeBusLane_creditMBTA

Traffic congestion

MassDOT Analysis: Commutes Are Faster For Everyone After Buses Got Their Own Lane On Tobin Bridge