Recent Streetsblog MASS posts about Traffic congestion

New signage presages faster buses on I-93 northbound lanes of I-93 north of Boston. Photo by Ari Ofsevit, used with permission.

Buses Will Get A New Bypass Around I-93 Traffic Jams North of Boston

By Christian MilNeil | Oct 12, 2021 | 1 Comment

The autumn winds have unwrapped some new signage on Interstate 93 north of Boston, revealing MassDOT’s plans to allow buses to run in the breakdown lane on one of the region’s most congested highways. On Tuesday morning, an MBTA spokesperson confirmed that the T had collaborating with MassDOT to allow buses to run on the […]

Google Street View imagery of Main Street in Reading shows the street before (from 2019) and after (from 2020) a road diet that reduced the number of vehicle lanes on the roadway. Images courtesy of Google.

A Reading Road Diet Moves From Pilot to Permanent

By Christian MilNeil | Aug 31, 2021 | No Comments

According MassDOT data, the removal of one traffic lane from Route 28 did not affect travel times or traffic volumes on other streets nearby, and early data suggest that fewer drivers are causing crashes.

A double-parked Lyft driver waits outside of the South Station bus terminal on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

As Uber and Lyft Pivot to Deliveries, Customers Face Longer Waits, Higher Prices

By Christian MilNeil | Aug 19, 2021 | No Comments

Passenger rides are down, but evidence suggests that the apps' drivers are still on the roads, delivering takeout and packages instead of riders.

A quick-build protected bike lane on State Street in downtown Boston, pictured in October 2020. Courtesy of the City of Boston.

Report: Workplace Parking Subsidies Could Drive A Return to Gridlock

By Christian MilNeil | Jun 22, 2021 | No Comments

"Boston and other municipalities should accelerate the reconfiguration of roadways for the highest and best use of that space," the report urges.

The Massachusetts State House in downtown Boston.

Senate Budget Raises Fees on Uber/Lyft, But It’s No Lifeline for the T

By Christian MilNeil | Nov 19, 2020 | No Comments

The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously passed a $46 billion budget for the current fiscal year, but while the final legislation includes an amendment that will raise fees on Uber, Lyft, and other app-based ride-hailing companies, those additional funds are unlikely to help the MBTA, which faces a severe deficit and is planning a dramatic suite […]

Chelsea bus lane installation on Broadway

Legal Settlement Will Restore Carpool Lane and Add New Bus Lane on Tobin Bridge

By Christian MilNeil | Nov 19, 2020 | No Comments

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has committed to establishing a new bus lanes on the Tobin Bridge and I-93 as part of a legal settlement over its decision to eliminate a carpool lane on I-93 in the spring of 2019. The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), a Boston-based environmental group, filed an intent to sue MassDOT […]

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